American relay

Swimming World and Junior Swimmer, Nov 2002

However, in late spring, things definitely got worse. During a football game, he broke his left arm and was in a cast for six weeks. One week after having the cast removed from his left arm, Jeff broke his right arm during a soccer game. While in casts, Jeff continued to train on a limited basis.

Just ten days after having the second cast removed in July, Jeff participated in the Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics in Coral Springs. He won six events, five in personal best times: 200 meter IM (2:25.66), 200 free (2:08.93), 100 free (59.28), 100 back (1:07.70) and 50 back (32.06).

Two weeks later, Jeff was on his way to San Antonio, Texas, to compete at Southern Zones, where he placed first in the 400 meter free (4:28.05), 200 free (2;06.76) and the 200 IM (2:24.37); second in the 100 back ( 1:05.29) and 200 back (2:18.86, new FGC record); and fourth in the 100 free (1:00.07).

Layne Brodie Age 12, SwimAtlanta-West, Atlanta, Georgia

Layne Brodie had an excellent 12-year-old swimming season in 2002 and should see her name in the upcoming national age group rankings which are released at the end of the year.

The SwimAtlanta-West ace started off the year at the Georgia Short Course Age Group State Championships, Feb. 21-24, in Savannah by winning two events (50 yard breast, 32.74; 100 breast, 1:09.88) and placing third in the 100 IM (1:04.16), fifth in the 200 IM (2:18.83) and seventh in both the 100 fly (1:05.06) and 400 IM (4:56.24, NAG Top 16 time).

Layne qualified for the Southern Zone Eastern Section Championships in Duncan, S.C., March 14-17. There, she was third in the 50 yard breast (32.32), fourth in the 200 breast (2:36.10, Top 16) and 100 breast (1:10.74) and seventh in the 100 IM (1:03.69).

At the state age group championships, July 1720, in Augusta, Layne was first in seven individual events, including state record-setting swims in the 400 meter IM (5:27.08) and 200 breast (2:46.24). At the Southern Zone Championships in San Antonio, Layne was first in the 100 meter breast (1:17.43), second in the 200 breast (2:46.61 ) and fourth in both the 400 IM (5:22.81) and 50 breast (36.43).

Layne will turn 13 this month and, at press time, hoped to get a junior national qualifying time in the 100 yard breast at one of two meets she had entered.

Candidates for "Age Group Swimmers of the Month" must compete within a nationally recognized age group. Please send a personality sketch and a color photograph or slide (a face shot, such as a school picture) of each nominee. Be sure to include name, address and phone number of person submitting the candidate. You can request a Swimming World Age Group Swimmer of the Month Profile form,which can be used as a guide to writing the nomination.The more information we receive, the more complete the story can be.

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