Girls 11-12 LCM NAG Record Watch: 2025–2026 Season

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Data current as of April 22, 2026 | Age eligibility cutoff: August 1, 2026 (swimmer remains 12 or under as of 8/1/2026)

The long course season is now underway, and this winter's short course results have already painted a compelling picture of where the Girls 11-12 LCM NAG records stand heading into the summer. The 11-12 class this cycle is deep and talented, with several swimmers projecting into competitive range of marks held by names like Claire Tuggle, Kayla Han, and Beth Botsford — some of which have stood for decades.

Below is a look at each standing record, the current top candidates based on 2025–26 SCY performance, a classical conversion projection of what those times could translate to in long course, and each swimmer's last-season LCM reference time as a real-world baseline.

The Record Holders & The Candidates

50 Freestyle — NAG: 26.21 | Missy Franklin (2008)

Franklin's 2008 sprint mark has aged remarkably well. The top three candidates convert in the 28.15–28.25 range — roughly 2 seconds above the record — but the field is tight and fast. Adry Francis (12) leads at 24.64 SCY (28.15 projected), with a last-season LCM reference of 29.85 showing real improvement potential. Yara Tsybulina (12) follows at 24.69 SCY (28.21 projected), and already owns a 29.00 last-season LCM time — the closest any candidate in this event gets on actual swims. Morgan Wu (12) rounds out the group at 24.73 SCY (28.25 projected), with a last-season LCM reference of 29.47.

Tsybulina's 29.00 last-season LCM time puts her within 2.79 of the record on actual swims. The record is safe, but this is a genuinely fast sprint field.

100 Freestyle — NAG: 56.87 | Lia Neal (2008)

Another 2008 record that has proven durable. Amelia Alsina (12) leads at 52.99 SCY (1:00.42 projected), with a last-season LCM reference of 1:05.42 — meaning her projection is nearly 5 seconds ahead of where she's been in long course, leaving real uncertainty about how she translates. Madison Lord (12) follows at 53.43 SCY (1:00.91 projected), with a last-season LCM reference of 1:04.31 that shows better real-world long course speed. Yara Tsybulina is third at 53.49 SCY (1:00.97 projected), and her last-season LCM reference of 1:02.40 is the most advanced real baseline in this event — already sub-1:03.

Lord and Tsybulina both have last-season LCM references meaningfully ahead of their projections — a strong sign of long course efficiency. The record still has a comfortable margin, but this event has legitimate depth.

200 Freestyle — NAG: 2:02.21 | Claire Tuggle (2017)

Penelope Chao (12) projects to 2:06.78 LCM from her 1:51.33 SCY, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:13.40 — showing meaningful long course experience and a clear development arc. Vanessa Kuo (12) follows at 1:51.77 SCY (2:07.26 projected), though her 2:20.76 last-season LCM reference suggests her conversion may not yet reflect what she's capable of in long course. Amelia Alsina rounds out the group at 1:54.25 SCY (2:10.02 projected), with a last-season LCM reference of 2:20.63 also well behind her projection.

Chao's 2:13 last-season LCM reference gives her the most credible long course baseline in this event. The record has nearly 5 seconds of protection, but her trajectory is the clearest.

400 Freestyle — NAG: 4:17.65 | Kayla Han (2021)

A 2021 record with a meaningful cushion. Penelope Chao leads at 4:27.40 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 4:39.98 — showing she's already been competitive at this distance in long course. Vanessa Delev (12) follows at 4:30.08 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 4:41.94 confirming solid long course 400 free experience. Vanessa Kuo is third at 4:34.62 projected, though her last-season LCM reference of 4:53.48 from a May time trial suggests she's still building her long course distance form.

Chao and Delev both have last-season LCM times in the 4:39–4:42 range, comfortably inside the 4:50 threshold. Neither is near Han's record yet, but both are moving in the right direction.

800 Freestyle — NAG: 8:50.58 | Kayla Han (2021)

Penelope Chao leads at 9:08.86 projected — about 18 seconds above the record — with no prior LCM 800 reference available, meaning this summer may be among her first serious looks at the event in a 50-meter pool. Vanessa Kuo projects to 9:23.67, also with no prior LCM 800 reference. Emma Lynch (12) rounds out the group at 9:29.68 projected, and is the only candidate with a last-season LCM 800 reference of 10:02.25 — showing she's still early in her long course distance development despite a strong SCY baseline.

The 800 free is largely uncharted territory for this field in long course. Chao's projection is the closest, but with no last-season LCM baseline to calibrate against, it's one to simply watch this summer.

1500 Freestyle — NAG: 16:48.12 | Bella Rongione (2012)

Vanessa Kuo leads at 18:09.21 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 18:53.83 — meaning she's already raced this event and is likely to improve significantly. Ziqi Sun (12) follows at 18:28.65 projected, with a last-season LCM time of 19:15.02 as a reference. Yara Tsybulina is third at 18:35.61 projected with no prior LCM 1500 reference available.

Rongione's 2012 record is safely protected. Kuo's consistent presence across every distance free event makes her the swimmer to follow in this range heading into summer.

50 Backstroke — NAG: 29.36 | Maggie Wanezek (2018)

Morgan Wu leads at 29.94 projected from her 26.43 SCY — within 0.58 of the record on paper. Her last-season LCM reference of 32.60, however, shows that her SCY form and LCM form are still meaningfully different, so the projection may be optimistic at this stage. Kyra Tan (12) follows at 30.83 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 33.11. Yara Tsybulina is third at 30.88 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 34.91 — also suggesting significant long course development ahead in backstroke.

Wu's projection is the closest of any candidate in the entire dataset to a standing record. Her 32.60 last-season LCM time is the reality check. How much she closes that gap this summer is the key question.

100 Backstroke — NAG: 1:03.08 | Beth Botsford (1994)

The oldest record in this dataset by over a decade — set in 1994 — and the most protected mark on the board. Morgan Wu leads at 1:04.58 projected from her 57.10 SCY, but her last-season LCM reference of 1:11.71 shows she's still far from converting that SCY form into long course results. Claire Liu (12) follows at 1:06.11 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 1:11.07. Penelope Chao rounds out the group at 1:06.28 projected, with the most credible last-season LCM baseline at 1:08.54 — already inside the 1:09 barrier last summer.

Botsford's 1994 record has seen 32 years of challengers. Chao's 1:08.54 last-season LCM time is the most meaningful number in this event — she's been the closest to the record of anyone in this field.

200 Backstroke — NAG: 2:15.17 | Elizabeth Beisel (2005)

Penelope Chao leads at 2:20.07 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:25.75 — showing consistent long course backstroke form and a credible development path. Vanessa Delev follows at 2:21.23 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:27.53. Claire Liu rounds out the group at 2:22.06 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:32.24 that places her further behind in real terms.

Beisel's 2005 record has 5+ seconds of protection over the projected field. Chao's last-season LCM reference is the most advanced real baseline, and she looks like the swimmer most likely to make noise in this event.

50 Breaststroke — NAG: 32.96 | Zoe Skirboll (2017)

Yan Zheng (12) leads at 34.60 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 36.58 — showing she's been swimming this event in long course and improving. Lillian Rowold (12) follows at 35.09 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 36.99. Reagan Walsh (12) rounds out the group at 35.57 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 36.63 — the tightest gap between projection and last-season LCM of the three, suggesting solid long course breaststroke efficiency.

The record has roughly 1.6–2.6 seconds of protection. All three candidates have last-season LCM times in the 36.5–37.0 range, confirming the conversion gap is real.

100 Breaststroke — NAG: 1:09.87 | Carly Geehr (1997)

A 1997 record that has outlasted nearly three decades of challengers. Yan Zheng leads at 1:14.38 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 1:18.97 — showing her conversion is ahead of her actual long course form at this stage. Lillian Rowold follows at 1:16.51 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 1:20.64. Shelby Bigby (12) rounds out the group at 1:16.88 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 1:20.45 nearly identical to Rowold's.

The record is well protected at over 4 seconds above the top projection. Geehr's 1997 mark has proved remarkably durable — and this field still has ground to cover in real long course swims before it comes into view.

200 Breaststroke — NAG: 2:34.28 | Annie Zhu (2007)

Yan Zheng leads at 2:43.67 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:57.61 — confirming real development ahead in long course. Vanessa Kuo follows at 2:45.48 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:57.17 from an April meet. Claire Liu rounds out the group at 2:45.52 projected with no prior LCM 200 breast reference available.

Zhu's 2007 record has nearly 10 seconds of protection. Last-season LCM times in the 2:57 range confirm how much runway remains in this event.

50 Butterfly — NAG: 27.91 | Claire Curzan (2017)

Morgan Wu leads at 28.89 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 30.08 — about 1 second above her projection, suggesting she converts reasonably in fly. Claire Liu follows at 29.92 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 32.18 — notably behind the projection, indicating real development potential in long course. Mia Douglas (12) rounds out the group at 30.04 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 31.41.

Wu's 28.89 projection is the closest to Curzan's record of any butterfly candidate in the dataset. Her last-season LCM reference of 30.08 suggests she translates reasonably well, and a sub-29 swim this summer is within reach.

100 Butterfly — NAG: 1:01.41 | Audrey Derivaux (2022)

A recent record with some recency protection, but this event has genuine depth. Morgan Wu leads at 1:03.86 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 1:07.46 — a clear sign of development ahead. Evyn Cain (12) follows at 1:05.76 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 1:08.24 closely aligned with her projection. Vanessa Delev rounds out the group at 1:05.91 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 1:07.80 — essentially matching her projection, a sign of strong long course butterfly efficiency.

The record has about 2.5 seconds of protection over Wu's projection. Delev's last-season LCM time of 1:07.80 is the most credible baseline in this event, already showing she swims fly well in a 50-meter pool.

200 Butterfly — NAG: 2:15.02 | Cassidy Bayer (2012)

Vanessa Delev leads at 2:24.72 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:30.89. Morgan Wu follows at 2:25.10 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:32.24. Penelope Chao rounds out the group at 2:25.55 projected, and her last-season LCM reference of 2:28.80 is the most advanced real mark in this event — ahead of both Delev and Wu in actual long course swims.

The record has nearly 10 seconds of protection. Chao's 2:28.80 stands out as the most meaningful last-season LCM reference across all three candidates.

200 IM — NAG: 2:18.69 | Teagan O'Dell (2019)

Penelope Chao leads at 2:24.29 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:29.06 — a credible long course IM baseline showing she handles the four-stroke format well in a 50-meter pool. Claire Liu follows at 2:25.27 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:30.59. Vanessa Delev rounds out the group at 2:26.72 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 2:30.53 — nearly identical to Liu's.

Three candidates projecting in the 2:24–2:27 range, all with last-season LCM times in the 2:29–2:30 window. The record has about 6 seconds of protection, but this is the deepest and most experienced IM field in the dataset.

400 IM — NAG: 4:50.70 | Kayla Han (2021)

Penelope Chao leads at 5:03.21 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 5:13.73 — showing meaningful 400 IM long course experience. Vanessa Kuo follows at 5:07.20 projected, though her last-season LCM reference of 5:37.31 from an April meet suggests limited 400 IM long course racing history. Vanessa Delev rounds out the group at 5:13.16 projected, with a last-season LCM reference of 5:20.26 — the most closely aligned with her projection, indicating solid conversion in this event.

Han's 2021 record has over 12 seconds of cushion. Chao's 5:13 last-season LCM reference is the most relevant real benchmark, and Delev's close alignment between projection and last-season LCM time is an encouraging sign of long course readiness.

Recurring Names & Overall Takeaways

The Girls 11-12 LCM field this cycle features a compact group of swimmers who show up across a wide range of events:

Penelope Chao (12) is the most complete swimmer in the dataset, appearing in the 200–800 free, 100–200 back, 200 fly, 200 IM, and 400 IM. Her last-season LCM references are the most credible real-world baselines across multiple events — particularly the 100 back (1:08.54), 200 back (2:25.75), and 200 IM (2:29.06).
Morgan Wu (12) leads the sprint and butterfly picture, with projections in the 50 back, 50 fly, 100 fly, and 200 fly that are among the closest to standing records in the dataset. Her 50 back projection of 29.94 is within 0.58 of Wanezek's NAG on paper — the tightest gap in the entire dataset.
Vanessa Delev (12) is a consistent presence across back, fly, and IM, with last-season LCM references that closely match her projections — a sign of efficient long course conversion.
Yan Zheng (12) leads all three breaststroke events with strong SCY performances, though her last-season LCM references confirm the conversion gap in breast remains real.
Yara Tsybulina (12) is the most credible sprint threat in the dataset, with a last-season LCM time of 1:02.40 in the 100 free already well ahead of her SCY-based projection — the kind of long course efficiency that makes her a name to watch once competition begins.

No record appears on the verge of falling this cycle, but the 50 back (Wu), 100 back (Chao), and 50 fly (Wu) are the events where the gap between current ability and the standing mark is narrowest. The long course season will tell which swimmers close the gap between what their short course times suggest and what they can actually do in a 50-meter pool.

All projections use classical SCY-to-LCM conversion. Converted times are estimates only. Prior LCM reference times are from the 2024–25 season. Age eligibility based on August 1, 2026 cutoff. ((swimmer remains 12 or under as of 8/1/2026))