Wawasee senior Julie Mishler, seen in a meet Wednesday, Dec. 4, swam a new national high school record in the 50 freestyle Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the meet against Concord. Photo by Nathan Pace.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

Wawasee senior Julie Mishler is no stranger to breaking swimming records in the natatorium at the Wawasee Middle School but her new record has put the entire nation on notice. Mishler swam a 21.56 at the 50 freestyle Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the meet against Concord to set a new national high school record for the event.

“I was super happy to have done that tonight,” Mishler said on the new record. “It really was an amazing experience. I was very surprised too.”

Mishler was one of two swimmers to break the state record in the 50 freestyle last season in the state meet as she finished as state runner-up. Ten months later on Tuesday, she beat out the previous national record made by Gretchen Walsh in 2020 of 21.59.

Mishler signed with the University of Louisville prior to the start of her senior season and will look to become Wawasee’s first individual state champion in any sport since Clayton Cook won the 110 high hurdles in track and field in 2015.

It will be a quick turnaround for Mishler as she will be swimming at the 2024 Winter Junior Championships in Greensboro, N.C. Mishler will swim in the 50 against her best peers from across the nation Thursday, Dec. 12. Mishler says her preparation for the meet contributed to her record-breaking time Tuesday.

“I am going to the junior nationals this week so I am ready to race,” Mishler said.

Julie Mishler and Wawasee swimming coach Jason Scott pose for a photo during Mishler’s signing ceremony back on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Mishler will swim for the University of Louisville next season. Photo by Nathan Pace.