Isabelle Stadden, a 14-year old swimmer who trains with the FASTJets based at the Foss Swim School’s Blaine facility in suburban Minneapolis, qualified for the U.S. Open with a 1:01:48 100 meter backstroke, making her the 6th fastest swimmer ever in the event in the 13-14 age group.
“When I watch swimmers, I can tell how much effort they are putting in,” said Stadden’s FASTjets coach Cale Jackson. “We just meant to have some fun and see how fast she could go before turning 15. When I watched that swim, I knew it was going to be special. I didn’t know it was going to be that special.”
Stadden, who also took general swimming lessons at FOSS, is one of three FOSS alumni on that list. Regan Smith holds the title of fastest 100-meter backstroke swimmer ever for 13-14 year olds at 1:00:26, and Rachel Bootsma, an NCAA champion, U.S.-record setter and gold medal winner, is 11th with a 1:01:71.
Next up for Stadden is the state meet in her home state of Minnesota on the University of Minnesota campus July 26-30, then the Speedo Junior National Championships August 8-12 in East Meadow, New York.
