Penelope Lopez-Casula Shines at 2026 SwimStrong Nationals

14-Year-Old Swimmer Breaks Records, Climbs National Age Group Rankings

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:09pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the fluid movements and competitive spirit of a young female swimmer during a freestyle race, rendered in a cubist style with vibrant blues, greens, and reds.A cubist interpretation of a young swimmer's record-breaking performance, capturing the raw energy and dynamism of the sport.NYC Today

At just 14 years old, Penelope Lopez-Casula has already made a significant impact in competitive swimming, notching career bests in the 100 free and 200 free events and climbing the all-time 13-14 National Age Group rankings. Her impressive time drop of over half a second in the 100 free, shooting her up to #4 on the all-time list, is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the sport.

Why it matters

Lopez-Casula's achievement is not just a personal best, but a significant contribution to the sport's history. Her time drop is a reminder that swimming is a mental sport as well as a physical one, and that the power of the mind can be just as important as the power of the body. Her success also highlights the inclusivity and accessibility of swimming as a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

The details

In the 100 free, Lopez-Casula went from a previous best of 49.13 to an astonishing 48.47, a difference of more than half a second. This drop shoots her way up in the girls' 13-14 NAG rankings to #4 all-time, only trailing Claire Curzan, Missy Franklin, and Rylee Erisman. Her achievement in the 200 free was also noteworthy, as she set a new personal best in that event as well.

  • Penelope Lopez-Casula set her new personal bests at the 2026 SwimStrong Dryland National Championship.

The players

Penelope Lopez-Casula

A 14-year-old swimmer who has made a significant impact in competitive swimming, setting new personal bests and climbing the all-time 13-14 National Age Group rankings.

Claire Curzan

A swimmer who currently holds the #1 spot on the girls' 13-14 NAG rankings in the 100 free.

Missy Franklin

A former swimmer who holds the #2 spot on the girls' 13-14 NAG rankings in the 100 free.

Rylee Erisman

A swimmer who currently holds the #3 spot on the girls' 13-14 NAG rankings in the 100 free.

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What they’re saying

“This achievement is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication, and it's exciting to see how young athletes are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in swimming.”

— Corie Satterfield, Author

The takeaway

Penelope Lopez-Casula's impressive performance at the 2026 SwimStrong Nationals is a celebration of the sport's inclusivity and accessibility, and a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and passion. Her achievements serve as an inspiration for young athletes and a reminder that the future of swimming is bright.