Dale ranked in the top 50 in the world

Published 8:55 am Tuesday, August 21, 2012

With his victory in the 100-meter backstroke at USA Swimming’s Speedo Junior National Championships last week in Indianapolis, Taylor Dale is getting global recognition and the ranking that goes with it.

The 17-year-old Dalton High senior won the title with a time of 55.98 in Indianapolis, and the victory pushed him into swimming’s world rankings. In the 18-under category, Dale is ranked 19th in the world in the 100 backstroke, and he is now 44th in the world for all ages, a category that includes Olympians like Michael Phelps.

Representing Carper Capital Aquatics Club at nationals, both Dale and 14-year-old swimmer Ethan Young were impressive and established new state records as well. Dale’s time in the 100 backstroke was a new Georgia record for 18-under, while Young set the new mark for 14-under with a 58.22 during a time trial at the event. Young’s time of 2:06.07 in the 200-meter backstroke was also a new state record.