Get ready for an incredible story about a young swimming sensation! Audrey Derivaux, a 14-year-old swimming prodigy, has just shattered two New Jersey swimming records, leaving everyone in awe of her talent.
But here's where it gets controversial... Audrey, despite her young age, has already made a significant impact on the swimming world. In 2024, she almost made it to the U.S. Olympic team, competing in the 400 individual medley. And this past Saturday, she proved once again why she's a force to be reckoned with.
At the South Jersey Invitational, Audrey dominated the pool, breaking two meet records. One of these records had stood for an impressive 30 years! She swam the 100 butterfly in an incredible 53.16 seconds, beating the previous record holders, Alyce Lehman and Shelby Hutchinson.
But that's not all. In the breaststroke, Audrey clocked an astonishing 1:02.52, her personal best at a high school meet. This time not only broke the previous South Jersey record set by Julia Mason in 1995 (1:04.88) but also secured her a spot on the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association All-American team.
During the breaststroke race, Audrey found herself in a thrilling battle with Riley Fitzpatrick from Gloucester Catholic. It was a close call, but Audrey managed to touch the wall first, outpacing Riley by a full second! Fitzpatrick finished with an impressive time of 1:03.53, but it wasn't enough to beat Audrey's record-breaking performance.
As a 14-year-old, Audrey's achievements are even more remarkable. She competed in six events at the 2024 U.S. Swimming Olympic Trials and qualified for the 400 IM finals with an impressive time of 4:45.23 in the prelims. This made her the youngest swimmer to reach a U.S. trials final since 2012 - an incredible feat!
Audrey's success continues to grow. She's a two-time First-Team All-State selection and, in 2024, she won two state titles at the Meet of Champions, setting new meet records in the 200 IM (1:55.73) and 500 free (4:44.29).
You can watch Audrey's record-breaking breaststroke performance below. Look for the swimmer with the red cap - that's our young champion!
This story is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication of young athletes. Audrey's achievements are inspiring, but what do you think? Is she a rising star in the making, or is there something else at play here? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! We'd love to hear your take on this remarkable young swimmer's journey.
