Rylee Erisman Shatters National Swim Record at FHSAA Championship

Windermere High School junior Rylee Erisman made headlines on March 15, 2024, by setting a new national high school record in the girls’ 100-yard freestyle at the FHSAA Class 4A swimming and diving championships held in Ocala, Florida. Erisman completed the race in an impressive time of 46.73 seconds, surpassing the previous U.S. high school record of 46.98 seconds, set by Olympic gold medalist Gretchen Walsh in 2020. This mark also eclipsed the state meet record of 47.13 seconds that Erisman herself established last year.

Erisman not only excelled individually but also contributed to her team’s success. Earlier in the evening, she teamed up with senior Brynn Lavigueur, juniors Aidyn Reese and Lilliana Krstolic to capture the championship in the 200 medley relay, finishing in 1:38.96. This time shattered the previous FHSAA championship record of 1:40.81.

Relay Success and Individual Triumphs

The evening concluded with another record-breaking performance, as Erisman joined Lavigueur, Krstolic, and sophomore Lizzie Johnson to win the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:19.16, beating the former record of 3:19.39. The standout swimmer added to her accolades by securing her fourth victory of the night in the 50-yard freestyle, clocking in at 21.67 seconds. A year prior, she had set a record of 21.61 seconds in that same event.

Lavigueur, who recently committed to swim for the University of Texas, matched Erisman’s four first-place finishes. She triumphed in the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:58.23 and the 100 backstroke in 52.21 seconds. Together, the duo showcased their exceptional talent and teamwork throughout the competition.

Despite their remarkable achievements, the Windermere girls’ team finished second overall with 305 points, falling short to Sarasota Riverview, which secured their fourth consecutive championship with 395 points. Oviedo placed fourth while Lake Brantley came in sixth, illustrating a highly competitive environment.

Strong Performances from Other Teams

On the boys’ side, the Winter Park team, led by senior Ian Heysen, finished third among the Orlando area competitors. Heysen and his teammates excelled in the boys’ medley relay, achieving a time of 1:32.14. Individually, Heysen secured second place in both the 100-yard backstroke and the 200 individual medley, recording times of 54.67 seconds and 1:47.54, respectively.

Seminole High School’s team also performed well, finishing as runners-up in the boys’ 200 free relay with a time of 1:23.87. Junior William McWard placed second in the 50 free with a time of 20.55 seconds, just ahead of Celebration’s Walter Zeman, who achieved two third-place finishes.

As the FHSAA championships wrapped up, the impressive performances from individual athletes and teams highlighted the depth of talent in Florida’s high school swimming scene. With Olympic aspirations on the horizon for many, including Erisman and Lavigueur, the future of competitive swimming looks promising.