Rylee Erisman Stars at Florida Regional Champs; National-Record Chase Expected at Next Week’s States
In preparation for next week’s state-championship meet, Rylee Erisman delivered several standout performances at the Florida 4A, Region 2 Championships on Friday. Erisman, who won eight medals at the World Junior Championships, starred at regionals with victories in the 50-yard freestyle and 100 freestyle, and powered a pair of victorious relays for Windermere High School.
Erisman opened her meet by anchoring Windermere to a win in the 200 medley relay as the foursome of Brynn Lavigueur, Aidyn Reese, Lilliana Krstolic and Erisman was timed in 1:43.24. Erisman closed on the freestyle leg in 22.76 and then won the 50 freestyle in 22.59. Her meet also included a sensational 48.48 clocking in the 100 freestyle and a triumph in the 400 freestyle, where she split 49.87 as Windermere went 3:25.76. Erisman was joined on that relay by Lavigueur, Elizabeth Johnson and Krstolic.
At next week’s state champs, Erisman will take aim at her state records in the 50 freestyle (21.61) and 100 freestyle (47.14) while chasing a pair of national records that belong to Gretchen Walsh. The American star owns the 50 free national record at 21.59 and the 100 freestyle standard at 46.98.
During the World Junior Championships in Romania, Erisman helped the United States to three relay gold medals and was the individual champion in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle. She added a silver medal in the 200 freestyle and also picked up a pair of silver medals in relay action.