Baylor Stanton Lowers 15-16 National Age Group Record in 200 Backstroke
Over the weekend at the Northeast Divisional Championship in Augusta, Ga., 16-year-old Baylor Stanton lowered the National Age Group record in the 200-yard backstroke.
Stanton entered with a best time of 1:41.14 that ranked him third all-time in the age group behind Maximus Williamson and Ryan Murphy. Stanton then clocked 1:41.06 in prelims before a 1:40.58 in the final, good enough to take down Williamson’s previous mark of 1:40.88 recorded at USA Swimming Junior Nationals (West) in 2022. Stanton had previously closed in on the NAG record when he won the 200 back at the 2023 eastern version of Juniors.
Also this weekend in Augusta, Stanton posted a time of 46.78 in the 200 back, which was just off his best time of 46.57 that ranks No. 7 all-time among 15-16 boys in the USA Swimming database. Stanton, who represents Gwinnett Aquatics, also had win in the 500 freestyle (4:20.53), 100 butterfly (48.79), 50 free (20.54) and 1650 free (15:13.99).
On the national level, the high school sophomore placed fifth in the 400-meter IM at last summer’s long course Junior Nationals while also recording seventh-place finishes in the 200 back and 200 IM. In short course this winter, Stanton took third in the 200 IM, fourth in the 400 IM, fifth in the 100 back and eighth in the 200 fly in addition to his 200 back triumph.