Aurora 10-year-old smashes swimming records at national meet

Jaeddan Gamilla, the Aurora 10-year-old nicknamed the "Rocket" in the pool, had another record-breaking performance at a national swimming meet that ended Saturday in Florida.

But there was one event that left his dad in tears - "tears of joy, of course."

Jaeddan trailed in the final lap of the 100-yard backstroke with about 15 yards to go. But the wunderkind known for his maturity - in the water and out - just out-touched his opponent to take first place, dad Jonel Gamilla said.

"It makes you proud of him, not just because you are the dad but because he is a real athlete," Gamilla said. "He swims with his heart."

Just like last year, Jaeddan finished first in all 10 races at the National Age-Group Swimming Association Elite Showcase Classic in Clearwater, Florida. Jaeddan amassed enough points - 4,756 - that he's expected to become No. 1 in the nation among both 10-year-olds and swimmers 10 and under when USA Swimming releases the new rankings later this week, his dad said.

"It's just amazing watching him," Gamilla said. "I told him, 'You awe me. You surprise me every time you swim.'"

Heading into the meet, Jaeddan, who began swimming at 4 and practices at the Maverick Swim Club in Naperville, already held eight state swimming records for his age group. He notched two more in Florida, including breaking an Illinois record set in the late 1980s in the 100-yard freestyle, his dad said.

Jaeddan had his sights on his first national record but fell short of making history in the individual medley.

Not that that's cause for any disappointment.

"Don't pressure yourself with records because the most important thing is for you to drop your time, your personal best," his dad tells him. "Because once you drop your time, your hard work pays off."

A humble Jaeddan also doesn't focus on the medal count - he'll bring home a dozen.

"I feel really happy and really proud of what I have achieved," he said late Saturday.

He admits to feeling a bit tired after swimming 10 events - prelims and finals - in only four days.

"Work hard now and rest all you want later," he tells his dad.

But Jaeddan already is looking to get back in the pool when he starts training for longer laps measured in meters, not yards.

"Two weeks is the minimum rest I could get until I start practicing for long course," he said.

• Daily Herald staff writer Marie Wilson contributed to this report.