Get ready for an incredible swim story that will leave you in awe! Audrey Derivaux, a true swimming sensation, has just shattered records and left us all speechless.
This week, we're diving into the world of swimming and celebrating an extraordinary achievement. Audrey, a 16-year-old swimming prodigy, kicked off 2026 with a bang at the South Jersey Aquatic Club (SJAC) Distance Challenge. Her performance in the 1650 freestyle was nothing short of remarkable, clocking an astonishing time of 15:45.97, which is one of the fastest ever recorded in the girls' 15-16 age group.
But here's where it gets even more impressive: Audrey's time not only secured her a spot as the 19th 15-16 swimmer to break the 16-minute barrier but also placed her in the top 10, with a time under 15:50. And this is the part most people miss - she achieved this feat with an incredible 20-second improvement over her previous best time, set at the same meet last year!
Let's take a closer look at her split comparison, which showcases her incredible pace:
Derivaux, Jan 2025 vs. Jan 2026
| Split | 2025 Time | 2026 Time |
| ------ | --------- | --------- |
| 25.99 | 26.50 |
| 54.14 (28.15) | 54.61 (28.11) |
| 1:22.77 (28.63) | 1:22.88 (28.27) |
| ... | ... |
| 15:08.46 (29.98) | 14:49.79 (28.86) |
| 15:38.68 (30.22) | 15:18.74 (28.95) |
| 16:06.70 (28.02) | 15:45.97 (27.23) |
As you can see, Audrey's splits are a testament to her consistent and impressive performance throughout the race.
Now, let's talk about the rankings. Audrey's achievement has propelled her to the 5th position all-time in the girls' 15-16 age group, just behind some of the greatest female swimmers in history. The top four swimmers ahead of her include Katie Ledecky, Katie Grimes, Kate Ziegler, and Becca Mann - each with an impressive resume of their own. But Audrey is hot on their tails, and her performance has certainly turned heads.
And here's another fun fact: Audrey's time at the 1000-yard mark during the race, an unofficial split, was an impressive 9:31.65, which moves her up to 11th all-time in the 15-16 age group for the 1000 freestyle. Talk about versatility!
But wait, there's more! During the mile, Audrey also swam the fastest 500 free of her career, clocking an unofficial time of 4:43.73, which would have placed her among the top swimmers in her high school class of 2027. She's already faster than many of her peers, and her potential is truly limitless.
Audrey's versatility extends beyond the pool as well. She is the reigning World Junior champion in the girls' 200 back, 200 fly, and 200 IM, and she's also a silver medalist in the 100 fly. Her achievements in the long course distance events are just as impressive, despite only racing the 1500 free once when she was 11 years old.
So, what do you think? Is Audrey Derivaux a rising star in the swimming world? Her achievements are certainly impressive, but is there room for improvement? Share your thoughts and let's discuss this incredible swim story!
