This week’s LumaLanes Performance of the Week goes to high schooler Michael Taylor, who had a record-breaking week at the 2017 Georgia High School State Championships. Taylor broke two Georgia state records this weekend, just missing David Nolan’s National Public High School record in the 100 backstroke by .04.
Posting a 45.75 in prelims, Taylor got as close to Nolan’s record as anyone has since 2011 when he swam a time of 45.53 in the final. Nolan’s record still stands at 45.49. That is a huge drop for Taylor, and helps cement him as one of the key additions to the Florida Gators freshman class next year. His time would have placed fifth at NCAA Championships last year, a huge indicator of his scoring potential for Florida and welcome news for coach Gregg Troy. He will be a more than worthy replacement for senior Jack Blyzinskyj, Florida’s top backstroker who will be graduating this spring. Taylor also won the 200 free earlier in the State Championships, setting another state record with a 1:35.16, another huge personal best.
Taylor is no stranger to the big stage, earning two final swims at Olympic Trials this summer, where he finished seventh in the 200 back and fifth in the 100 back. While his best times came in semi-finals of those races (1:56.78 and 53.77 respectively), that meet helped put him on the map as a backstroker with huge potential.
Congratulations Michael Taylor on earning Swimming World’s Performance of the Week!
Special Thanks to LumaLanes for sponsoring Swimming World’s Performance of the Week.
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Awesome!!! Way to go!!!
Congrats Michael Taylor
Chance at ᕼie Jinja, a Shinto temple in Nagatacho, Tokyo.