A Look at the Oldest NAG Records: Performances That Were Ahead of Their Time
Multiple National Age Group (NAG) records are established every year, ranging from the 10-and-under classification up to the 17-18 category. When these records are recorded, they often feature athletes who will eventually represent the United States in international competition. Last year, NAG marks were broken by Luka Mijatovic and Rylee Erisman, who are rising stars on the American scene.
Yet, some NAG records have proven highly resilient, enduring not just for a handful of years, but for decades. A glance at the United States NAG long-course standards revealed that 10 records will have celebrated at least their 30th anniversary during the 2026 campaign. Not surprising, the owners of these records account for a Who’s-Who of American stars, including several inductees into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
The oldest record on the books is the 15-16 standard in the boys’ 1500-meter freestyle, held by Bobby Hackett. This performance was produced at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where Hackett earned the silver medal behind a time of 15:03.91. Meanwhile, Sippy Woodhead’s 13-14 NAG record of 1:58.53 in the 200 freestyle was the world record at the time.
Both of Amanda Beard’s NAG records in the 13-14 age group were notched at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where she collected silver medals in the 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke. Beard clocked 1:08.09 in the 100 breaststroke and went 2:25.75 in the 200 breaststroke.
Here is a look at the NAG records that will be at least 30 years old during the 2026 season.
Age Group (11-12)
Beth Botsford – 100 Backstroke – 1:03.08 – 1994
Chas Morton – 100 Butterfly – 58.74 – 1983
Age Group (13-14)
Sippy Woodhead – 200 Freestyle – 1:58.53 – 1978
Sippy Woodhead – 400 Freestyle – 4:07.15 – 1978
Amanda Beard – 100 Breaststroke – 1:08.09 – 1996
Amanda Beard – 200 Breaststroke – 2:25.75 – 1996
Mary T. Meagher – 200 Butterfly – 2:07.01 – 1979
Age Group (15-16)
Anita Nall – 200 Breaststroke – 2:25.35 – 1992
Mary T. Meagher – 200 Butterfly – 2:05.96 – 1981
Bobby Hackett – 1500 Freestyle – 15:03.91 – 1976
