Up-and-Comers: California 12-Year-Old Eryn Arnold Dropping Time Quickly
Twelve-year-old Eryn Arnold of Beach Cities Swimming (Redondo Beach, Calif.) has been dropping her times left and right—with no end in sight. At the July Summer Junior Olympics, Arnold clocked personal bests and finished top four in all of her events.
She won the 50 and 100 meter breaststroke (35.73 and 1:16.43), placed second in the 100 fly and 200 IM (1:07.74 and 2:29.86), claimed third in the 200 free (2:15.45) and finished fourth in the 100 free (1:03.27). The youngster holds three sectional cuts in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and 200 IM, and was chosen to represent SoCal Swimming at the Western Zones Summer Championships.
“Eryn has been a joy to coach,” says Coach Jack Alderson. “She is always willing to give her best effort in practice and at meets. When she is racing, you see her at her best—she loves the competition, and she loves to close out races.”
Even outside of the pool, Arnold gravitates towards the water. She is a Junior Lifeguard with Los Angeles County, and the last two summers, she received the MVP Award in the program. Arnold volunteers her time to help young swimmers on her club’s pre-competitive team, including at their weekend intersquad meets.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU DO IN SWIMMING?
I think I work really hard at practice every day because I am motivated to improve. Also at swim meets, even if I am upset with my performance after my race, I will still reach over the lane line to shake my competitor’s hand.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST WORKOUTS/SETS YOU’VE DONE?
One is called the “wobble” because you wobble out of the pool at the end (haha). It is three rounds of 8 x 100 on 1:50. It is 50 free all-out, then you climb out of the pool and dive off the block and do 50 fly all-out. Repeat 8 times. Then 3 times through. This is long course meters.
Another hard set is a 75s set. You do a 75 on :55. You keep doing them until you don’t make the interval. Once you don’t make the interval, you are out. I—and a few in my group—usually make it to 31-40 75s.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWIMMING?
I like going to meets and seeing my friends from other teams. I also like going to practice with my friends because they help make it fun, even when the sets are hard. They also help to push me to go faster. I also like the camaraderie that I have with my group. We all encourage each other.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR?
I’m looking forward to my first sectional meet. It is a travel meet with my team. A few of my friends in my group also qualified, so it will be extra fun. I’m glad I can experience this with my friends in my swim group.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN SWIMMING…AND WHY?
Katie Ledecky…because it is empowering to see her breaking world records at such a young age, and she is still now pushing and setting new goals for herself. She’s amazing.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES?
I like going to the beach and surfing with my friends. I also like body surfing and being in the water. Additionally, I like playing beach flags in the sand. I also like playing online games with friends when I am chilling at home.
So proud of you Eryn!!