The Fastest Age

I have a 10 year old girl who is not fast -36 on the 50 free, but since I am at meets, I see the 10 year old girls who do the kind of times that are sighted. 99% of the time they tower over and weigh much, much more than my 10 year old who is 4-10 and 70 pounds. When you see phenominal times in a 10 year old child, chances are physically they are way ahead of their peers. I have seen some exceptions, one being a young man from Wisconsin who is now 11. He is a tall kid for his age, but he also has a tremendous feel for the water, which has translated to him having great technique and therefore great times. I don't hold much water for 10 and under phenoms, if they don't burn out before 13, then show me what they are doing, and yes I know the Phelps was one of these. Which brings up a point, how big was he at 10, pretty big I think.

I have a 10 year old girl who is not fast -36 on the 50 free, but since I am at meets, I see the 10 year old girls who do the kind of times that are sighted. 99% of the time they tower over and weigh much, much more than my 10 year old who is 4-10 and 70 pounds. When you see phenominal times in a 10 year old child, chances are physically they are way ahead of their peers. I have seen some exceptions, one being a young man from Wisconsin who is now 11. He is a tall kid for his age, but he also has a tremendous feel for the water, which has translated to him having great technique and therefore great times. I don't hold much water for 10 and under phenoms, if they don't burn out before 13, then show me what they are doing, and yes I know the Phelps was one of these. Which brings up a point, how big was he at 10, pretty big I think.