Most Impressive National Age Group Records That Remain Standing (Men)
A recent Swimming World feature took a look at some of the most impressive National Age Group (NAG) records produced – and still standing – by female athletes. Olympic champions Katie Ledecky and Mary T. Meagher headlined the list, which also included tributes to standards held by Missy Franklin, Regan Smith, Sippy Woodhead and Claire Curzan.
Now, it’s time to honor the men’s NAG records. We’ll begin with long-course performances, with a short-course edition produced in the near future. As was the case with the women’s records, the names listed represent a Who’s-Who of superstars in the sport. We’re talking multi-time Olympic champions and members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Like any opinion-based work, there are bound to be disagreements. Feel free to comment on a record you felt should have been included.
Note: We selected one NAG record per athlete. Multiple swimmers could have been selected across several events.
Age Group (11-12)
Chas Morton (100-Meter Butterfly: 58.74) – 1983
Chas Morton, 1985. Photo Courtesy: Swimming World
When the topic of age-group stars is discussed, Chas Morton’s name is almost immediately offered into the conversation. Morton is considered one of the finest age-groupers of all-time, perhaps No. 1. His lone remaining NAG standard has been on the books since 1983, when the 12-year-old clocked a 58.74 performance in the 100 butterfly. The No. 2 time in the event trails Morton by nearly a second at 59.54.
Age Group (13-14)
Michael Phelps (200-Meter Butterfly: 1:59.02) – 2000
Just a few months before he finished fifth in the 200 butterfly at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Michael Phelps popped a swim of 1:59.02 in the event that launched his Hall of Fame career. A 14-year-old going nearly a second under the two-minute barrier is difficult to comprehend, but Phelps’ greatness was evident early on and he obviously fulfilled his massive promise. For this task, Phelps could have appeared in several places, including in the 17-18 category for the 200 individual medley (1:55.94) and 400 IM (4:09.09).
Age Group (15-16)
Bobby Hackett (1500-Meter Freestyle: 15:03.91) – 1976
The Golden Anniversary of Bobby Hackett’s 1500 freestyle outing of 15:03.91 will be celebrated next year, and that fact alone speaks to the legendary nature of this record. Where did the 16-year-old produce this performance? How about the Olympic Games in Montreal? Hackett claimed the silver medal behind countryman Brian Goodell, who was a little more than a second quicker in a world record of 15:02.40. Hackett and bronze medalist Stephen Holland of Australia were also under the previous world record of 15:06.66.
Luka Mijatovic (200-Meter Freestyle: 1:45.92) – 2025
The newest record on this list was set just a few months ago. When Luka Mijatovic went 1:45.92 at U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, he didn’t just break the NAG record in the 15-16 classification. His time is also faster than the 17-18 standard in the event, held by Michael Phelps. Mijatovic could have been selected for this list in a number of events, and it seems like additional NAG marks are likely in the future.
Thomas Heilman (200-Meter Butterfly: 1:53.82) – 2023
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Like Luka Mijatovic, we could have slotted Thomas Heilman’s name into a handful of places on this list. But his 1:53.82 effort in the 200 butterfly from the 2023 World Championships gets the nod. Historically, only four Americans have cracked the 1:54 barrier in the event, and Heilman accomplished the feat as a 16-year-old. His time in Fukuoka just missed the podium, as he tied with Canadian Ilya Kharun for fourth place.
Age Group (17-18)
Aaron Peirsol (200-Meter Backstroke: 1:55.15) – 2002
At the 2002 Spring Nationals, Aaron Peirsol achieved what was long expected from the backstroke phenom: He broke a world record. Peirsol registered a time of 1:55.15 while racing in Minneapolis, a swim that cut .72 off Lenny Krayzelburg’s 1999 global standard. Through the years, Peirsol’s NAG has withstood a handful of challenges, including threats from Michael Phelps and Ryan Murphy.
