Rylee Erisman Stuns with Electrifying 2:13.55 in 200 IM at Ocala Futures, Secures Nation’s Second-Fastest Time for 15-16 Girls in 2025 Season… Read More…

Rylee Erisman Stuns with Electrifying 2:13.55 in 200 IM at Ocala Futures, Secures Nation’s Second-Fastest Time for 15-16 Girls in 2025 Season… Read More…

In a spectacular display of talent, tenacity, and composure well beyond her years, 16-year-old swimming phenom Rylee Erisman lit up the pool on Night 4 of the 2025 Ocala Futures Championships, clocking a jaw-dropping 2:13.55 in the 200 Individual Medley (IM). Her performance not only earned her the event win but also marked the second-fastest time in the nation this season for the 15-16 girls’ age group, firmly planting her name among the sport’s rising stars.

Erisman’s time was a personal best by over a second, showcasing not just her training progression but also her ability to rise to the occasion under pressure. The crowd at the Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training (FAST) facility roared as the scoreboard lit up, confirming what many had just witnessed — a brilliant race that balanced power, precision, and poise across all four strokes.

A Race for the Record Books

From the moment the starter’s buzzer rang, Erisman established her intent. Her butterfly leg was clean and controlled, setting a strong pace without overspending her energy. But it was the backstroke split, executed with textbook form and smooth underwaters, that gave her a slight edge over her competitors and signaled that something special was unfolding.

The breaststroke — often the make-or-break segment in the IM — proved to be Erisman’s strongest weapon. With a relentless pull and a driving kick, she opened up a commanding lead. By the time she flipped into the freestyle leg, the race had effectively become hers to lose.

Yet, instead of holding back, Erisman unleashed a sprint over the final 50 meters that electrified the venue. Touching the wall in 2:13.55, she shaved more than 1.2 seconds off her previous personal best and surpassed numerous elite benchmarks for her age group.

National Rankings and Career Implications

Erisman’s time now stands as the #2 mark in the United States for 15-16 girls in the 2025 season, a remarkable feat given the level of talent emerging across the country. Only one other swimmer — whose time narrowly edges hers by fractions of a second — has gone faster this year.

Coaches and analysts alike are taking notice.

“This swim was textbook Rylee,” said her coach, Lindsey Monroe of the Sarasota Sharks Swim Club. “She’s been dialed in all summer. We knew she had this kind of performance in her, but to execute like that on a big stage — that shows she’s ready for national-level meets and beyond.”

USA Swimming scouts at the meet were equally impressed, suggesting that Erisman is now firmly on the radar for junior national teams and even potential international representation in the near future.

“She’s got all the tools — versatility across strokes, mental toughness, and that fire to compete,” said one national development coordinator. “A 2:13 IM at her age is no joke.”

More Than Just a Time

Beyond the numbers and rankings, Erisman’s swim carries broader significance. The 200 IM is widely considered one of the most demanding events in the sport, requiring mastery of all four strokes, aerobic endurance, and tactical intelligence. For a swimmer her age to post such a commanding time speaks volumes about her dedication and future potential.

Rylee herself remained humble in her post-race interview.

“I just wanted to swim my own race,” she said with a bright smile. “Coach and I worked a lot on pacing and transitions, especially the breast-to-free turn. I felt strong, and once I saw the lead, I just focused on bringing it home.”

Erisman also emphasized the importance of the supportive atmosphere at the Ocala Futures meet.

“Everyone here has been incredible. The energy on deck, my teammates cheering — it really gave me a boost. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

The Road Ahead

With the Futures Championship winding down, Erisman’s next steps are already being mapped out. She is expected to compete at the Junior National Championships in August, where she will likely face some of the country’s best age-group swimmers. With momentum on her side and confidence surging, she could be poised for even more eye-opening performances.

The long-term horizon looks equally promising. College recruiters are no doubt circling, with top NCAA Division I programs likely to begin initiating contact once allowable under recruiting rules. With her current trajectory, Rylee Erisman is not just a name to watch — she’s quickly becoming a name to remember.

A Spark for Florida Swimming

Erisman’s standout swim is also a proud moment for Florida’s swimming community. The state, already a powerhouse in U.S. swimming, continues to produce elite-level talent across all age groups. Her performance adds another chapter to Florida’s deep tradition of IM excellence, following in the wake of stars like Caeleb Dressel and Brooke Bennett.

As the meet wraps up in Ocala, Rylee Erisman’s 2:13.55 remains the moment everyone is talking about — a swim that combined technical brilliance with competitive heart, leaving little doubt that a new star is rising fast in American swimming.


Related Times & Stats:

  • Event: Girls 200 Individual Medley (15-16)
  • Time: 2:13.55
  • National Rank: #2 (2025 Season, 15-16 Age Group)
  • Previous PB: 2:14.78
  • Club: Sarasota Sharks
  • Coach: Lindsey Monroe

Stay tuned as Erisman sets her sights on even bigger stages in the coming months — and quite possibly, a breakout year that could define her future in the sport.

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