Local swims to record-setting year

Mike Sciacca

Joshua Smith of Huntington Beach turned in a spectacular swim season

that has established the 10-year-old as one of the most dominant

swimmers in his age group.

Smith, who swims in the 10-and-under division for Irvine Nova

Aquatics, will enter the sixth grade at Grace Elementary School in

September.

In the past year, he has accomplished several feats -- among the

most notable being the Southern California Swimming 50-meter

freestyle age-group record he set July 24 at the UC Irvine Aquatics

Center.

Smith swam to a record time of 28.83 seconds, breaking the

previous age-group record set in 1996. The performance also

identified him as the No. 1 sprinter in the nation for that event. He

was recognized by meet directors at center stage following the meet.

Smith and Gray Umbach of Texas are considered to be the most

dominant swimmers nationwide in their age group.

Smith is a 14-time Southern California Junior Olympics champion,

an eight-time Summer Junior Olympics champion, a six-time Spring

Junior Olympics champion, a seven-time AA Winter Championship

champion; a seven-time AA Summer Championship champion and an

eight-time Western Zone summer finalist.

He is the No. 1-ranked 10-and-under male swimmer nationally in the

100-yard individual medley (1:04.99), a mark he set in March; the

100-yard backstroke (1:14.64), which he set in July; and the 50-meter

butterfly (32.11), which he established in June.

Smith is the No. 1-ranked 10-and-under male swimmer in California

in the 50-yard freestyle (25.99); 100-yard freestyle (56.44); 50-yard

backstroke (30.00); 100-yard backstroke (1:03.77); 100-yard

individual medley (1:04.99); 200-yard individual medley (2:20. 66);

50-meter freestyle (28.83), which was set in July; 100-meter

freestyle (1:04.90); 50-meter backstroke (35.04); 100-yard backstroke

(1:14. 64); and 50-meter butterfly (32.11).

In addition to his top rankings, Smith is ranked second nationally

in the following events: 50-yard freestyle (25.99); 100-yard

freestyle (56.14); 50-yard backstroke (30.00); 100-yard backstroke

(1:03.77); 100-yard individual medley (1:04.99); 200-yard individual

medley (2:20.66); 100-meter freestyle (1:04.90); 50-meter backstroke

(35.04), and 50-meter butterfly (32.11).