The North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC) made waves at the Maryland 14 & Under Championships, showcasing the talent of its young swimmers. Among the standout performers were Philip Scharper and Jude Burkhart, who left their mark on the competition with impressive times and achievements.
Scharper, aged 11, demonstrated remarkable consistency, claiming eight personal bests. His performance in the 400 IM was particularly noteworthy, as he sliced nearly six seconds off his previous best, finishing with the third-fastest time overall at 4:39.77. Teammate Henry Knott, aged 12, also made strides, winning the event with a substantial 10-second improvement on his best time, clocking 4:33.19.
Scharper's prowess extended beyond the 400 IM, securing second place in the 200 backstroke with a substantial four-second reduction in his best time, finishing at 2:10.15. This performance was only bested by Ocean Pines' Patrick Murphy, who dominated the event with six individual wins.
Scharper's versatility was further evident in his lifetime bests across various events, including the 200 free (1:59.40), 500 free (5:16.49), 50 back (28.97), 100 back (1:01.22), 200 fly (2:16.53), and 200 IM (2:14.16).
Burkhart, aged 14, dominated the meet, securing nine wins and nine career best swims. His performance in the 1650 free was exceptional, as he claimed the 11-12 National Age Group Record with a time of 15:35.98, propelling him into the 38th position among the fastest 13-14 age group performers in history. This improvement was a significant leap from his previous best of 15:49.26 set at the ISCA East Coast Elite Showcase in April 2025.
Burkhart's dominance continued with a new personal best in the 1000 free, securing the 52nd spot in the 13-14 age group with a remarkable 9:21.90. He also shattered his 200 IM record, shaving off approximately a second and a half from his previous best of 1:54.33, finishing at 1:52.88.
The swimmer's success extended to all freestyle events, from the 100 free to the 1650, where he achieved career bests in each, touching at 47.04 in the 100 free, 1:41.09 in the 200 free, and 4:34.16 in the 500 free.
Other notable performances included Alyna Cox from Bayside Aquatics, who won ten events, excelling in sprint backstroke events. Willa Kulp from NBAC also stood out, earning 12 wins, including a career best in the 500 free and a significant improvement in the 100 back.
In summary, the NBAC swimmers' achievements at the Maryland 14 & Under Championships were a testament to their hard work and talent. Scharper and Burkhart's performances, in particular, showcased their versatility and potential, leaving a lasting impression on the competition and setting the stage for future success.
