News Summary
Jacob Bougaieff of the Dads Club Swim Team set a new lifetime best in the 200 breaststroke at the Austin Sectionals, marking himself among the top swimmers in his age group. His impressive time of 2:18.17 positions him sixth-fastest for the season and #84 all-time in the 15-16 age group. This follows his previous success at the Canadian Swimming Trials. Other notable performances included Marcus Otero winning the same event and Evan Croley achieving a championship title in the 100 freestyle, highlighting the competitive spirit among young swimmers.
Austin, Texas – Jacob Bougaieff of the Dads Club Swim Team achieved a remarkable milestone on Saturday, March 15th, at the 2025 Austin Sectionals, recording a lifetime best time of 2:18.17 in the 200 breaststroke event. This exceptional performance places him sixth-fastest in the boys’ 15-16 age group for the current swimming season and ranks him at #84 on the all-time top performance list for this age group in the 200 breast.
Bougaieff’s impressive time builds upon his recent success at the Canadian Swimming Trials, where he previously ranked #8 nationally in the same event with a time of 2:18.40. His lifetime best at the Austin Sectionals illustrates his continual progress and competitive edge as he approaches significant swimming milestones.
In the same race, Marcus Otero from Southwest Aquatic Team outperformed his competitors, winning with a lifetime best time of 2:17.07, which reflects a drop of over 1.5 seconds from his previous best. Following closely behind was Roberto Bonilla, a Guatemalan swimmer from Texas A&M, who finished as the runner-up in the 200 breast with a time of 2:17.37. However, this mark remains off his best time of 2:14.34.
The Sectionals also highlighted noteworthy achievements among other swimmers. Evan Croley of Streamline Aquatics earned his championship title in the 100 freestyle event, clocking in at 49.93 seconds. This victory marks a personal milestone as Croley achieved his first sub-50-second performance, improving his previous time by exactly half a second. He was the only swimmer in the event to surpass the 50-second mark.
In the 100 free event, both Stepan Goncharov and Cooper Lucas tied for second place, completing the race in 50.20 seconds, showcasing the competitive spirit of young swimmers. On the girls’ side, Ella Mongenel from Austin Swim Club made an impressive debut by securing fourth place in the 100 freestyle with a time of 56.24 seconds. This mark represents a significant improvement, dropping .95 seconds from her previous best set in July 2023. Mongenel’s new personal record positions her as the 17th-fastest swimmer in the country for this season in her age group.
The event also featured fast-paced performances from high-profile swimmers, including Lillie Nesty and Chloe Stepanek, who claimed the first and second spots in the women’s 100 free with impressive times of 55.37 and 55.52 seconds, respectively. Their accomplishments underline the caliber of talent present at the Sectionals and set the stage for future competitions.
The achievements of these young athletes at the Austin Sectionals reflect not only their individual hard work and dedication but also the growing competitiveness among youth swimmers across the nation. Events like this showcase the enhanced training programs and opportunities available to young swimmers, allowing them to achieve remarkable personal bests and establish themselves on the national stage.
As the swimming season progresses, all eyes will continue to focus on these rising stars, particularly on Bougaieff, who has shown significant promise and improvement this year. With each competition, swimmers are pushing the limits, setting records, and aiming to qualify for future high-stakes events.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- KTLA
- Wikipedia: Bacteria
- Patch
- Google Search: Griffith Park Pool
- SwimSwam
- Google Scholar: California Beaches
- ABC 7
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Swimming
- LAist
- Google News: Los Angeles Beaches
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
