RYE, N.Y. Midway through the boys 17-and-under 100-yard freestyle Wednesday, Westwood Swim Club coach Phil Dearstyne turned to one of his assistants in amazement at the way Reo Mukudai was swimming.
I said, This is the fastest I have ever seen him swim, said Dearstyne, who is also the Harrison High School boys varsity swim coach.
Dearstyne was right on in his assessment as Mukudai went on to victory and tied the event record in the 87th annual Westchester County Swimming and Diving Championships at Playland Pool.
Mukudai clocked in at 48.81 seconds, equaling the record set by Doug Boyd in 1982 and later tied by Norman Scott in 2004.
He was a body length ahead of everyone, so it was an awesome swim, Dearstyne said. He knows when its time to go.
Mukudai, 16, a junior-to-be at Keio Academy in Purchase, was not thinking about a record. Even though he was seeded first, he said there was no pressure on him.
I didnt think I would get it, Mukudai said. I was just hoping for a good swim.
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