Whiz Kids: Dayton Swimmer Competes at Nationals

Dayton resident Tyler Blackburn, a standout swimmer for South Brunswick High School, recently took his talents down south to the 2011 YMCA Long Course Nationals. The event was held at Georgia Institute of Technology Aquatics Center, from July 25 through July 29. 

Tyler competed in a pool that was originally built for the 1996 Olympic Games, and is one of the fastest pools in the world, according to Tyler's mother Diane Blackburn. 

Tyler was one of 10 swimmers from the Hamilton YMCA Aquatic Club to compete. The team was one of 13 YMCA teams from New Jersey to attend the meet and this was Tyler's fourth year attending Nationals, Diane said.

In total, there were 1,282 swimmers from 123 different in 19 different states competing at the event.

Tyler swam the 1500 meter freestyle (time 17:15.75), 800 meter freestyle (time 8:55.54), 400 meter freestyle (time 4:21.81), 200 meter freestyle (time 2:03.07). He was also on the 200 meter freestyle relay (split 26.57), 400 meter freestyle relay (split 56.82) and 800 meter freestyle relay (split 2:01.71).

Tyler and his team also had the honor to swim the YMCA flag in the pool during the Devotion and National anthem, Diane said.

Tyler will be an incoming senior at South Brunswick High School this fall. He competes on the varsity Cross Country team and is one of the team captains this season, Diane said. He is ranked by 43rd by NJ Milesplit in the state for top returning runners and third for Thompson Park elites. 

Tyler is also on the SBHS Varsity Swim Team, where he is the 2010 GMC 500 freestyle Champion and part of the winning 2011 GMC 200 freestyle relay. He holds the 200 freestyle, the 500 freestyle and the 200 freestyle relay school records.

He is also on the varsity track team, where he is their top distance runner for the two-mile over the past two years, Diane said.

Tyler also coaches 9-10-year-olds for Nassau Swim Club on a summer swim league. The team went undefeated this season and won the PASDA Swimming Championships, held at West Windsor Waterworks.

http://nj.milesplit.com/articles/70599-2011-xc-top-100-returners-boys-girls

http://nj.milesplit.com/articles/70859-top-returners-by-sectional-course-thompson-park