Imagine shattering records in the pool at just 15, clocking a time that's among the fastest ever in your age group – that's the kind of brilliance we're diving into today with Audrey Derivaux!
We're talking about the 2025 Winter Junior Championships – East, held from December 10-13 in Indianapolis, Indiana. This event, conducted in a short-course yard pool (SCY, meaning 25 yards), showcased some of the brightest young talents in swimming. For those new to the sport, SCY races are done in smaller pools, which can lead to faster times compared to long-course meters because swimmers start and turn more frequently. Prelims kicked off at 9 a.m. EST, with finals wrapping up at 5 p.m. EST each day. You can catch all the action through Meet Central on the USA Swimming website, check out the psych sheet for pre-meet predictions, learn how to watch via SwimSwam, follow live results, or read up on daily recaps – including the all-important Prelims Day Two and Finals Day One.
Now, let's zoom in on the Girls' 200 Individual Medley (IM) finals, a grueling event that combines butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. This race tests a swimmer's versatility and endurance, as they switch strokes every 50 yards. For beginners, think of it like a triathlon but in water – you need speed, technique, and mental toughness to dominate all four parts.
Before we get into the race, here are the key records to keep in mind:
- Meet Record: 1:52.21 by Katie Grimes in 2022
- 13-14 NAG (National Age Group) Record: 1:55.73 by Audrey Derivaux herself in 2024
- 15-16 NAG Record: 1:53.38 by Teagan O’Dell in 2023
- 17-18 NAG Record: 1:51.36 by Kate Douglass in 2020
These benchmarks highlight how rare and impressive top performances are in this event, especially since NAG records represent the best times for swimmers in specific age groups across the country.
Top 8 Finishers:
1. Audrey Derivaux (JW) — 1:53.87
2. Charlotte Crush (LAK) — 1:54.87
3. Reina Liu (TAC) — 1:56.60
4. Brynn Lavigueur (LAKR) — 1:57.69
5. Molly Sweeney (CSC) — 1:57.90
6. June Delmar (MAC) — 1:59.72
7. KC Braeger (LAK) — 1:59.84
8. Finola Whelehan (TAC) — 2:00.06
Texas-bound Audrey Derivaux stole the show in the finals, claiming the second-fastest 200 IM ever for girls aged 15-16 with a spectacular 1:53.87. But here's where it gets exciting – this isn't just a win; it's a historic leap that puts her in elite company. Let's break down her splits to see how she pulled it off:
- Butterfly: 24.36
- Backstroke: 28.18 (total: 52.54)
- Breaststroke: 34.11 (total: 1:26.65)
- Freestyle: 27.22 (final: 1:53.87)
For newcomers, splits show the time for each stroke segment, added up cumulatively, so you can see where a swimmer excels or struggles.
Derivaux started strong with prelims at 1:55.53, edging out Charlotte Crush's 1:56.80 by over a second. In the final, Crush took an early lead of nearly two seconds after the first four lengths (50.65 to 52.54), showcasing her backstroke dominance. But here's where it gets controversial – is backstroke the key to controlling these races, or does the comeback power in breaststroke steal the spotlight? Many fans debate this, with some arguing that early leads set the tone, while others believe late surges prove a swimmer's true grit.
Derivaux flipped the script on the breaststroke leg, blasting a 34.11 to Crush's 36.69 and flipping the deficit into a nearly seven-tenths lead. She then powered through the freestyle for another strong 27.22, widening her margin to a full second and clinching victory. This performance not only cements her as the second-fastest 15-16 ever but also shatters her own lifetime best of 1:55.24 from last year's event. Plus, she's now just under half a second from Teagan O’Dell’s 15-16 NAG record of 1:53.38. With her birthday still eight months away in August 2026, Derivaux has plenty of time to chase that down – but is age the only factor, or could training innovations and race tactics play a bigger role?
Crush didn't leave empty-handed, either; her 1:54.87 was her personal best by over a second and a half, improving on her 2024 mark of 1:56.44. This shows how these championships push athletes to new heights, often leading to breakout seasons.
And this is the part most people miss – the ripple effects of such a swim. It inspires young swimmers everywhere, proving that with dedication, you can rewrite records and challenge norms. But what do you think? Does prioritizing certain strokes over others give an unfair edge in IM events, or should we focus more on overall endurance? Share your thoughts in the comments – agree, disagree, or add your own take on what makes a champion!
