In 1984, Gretchen set a Swim Association Invitational League (SAIL) Classics record in the 9-10 girls 25 meter breaststroke with a time of 19.14. Her record was broken on July 19 at the Westside Aquatics Center during this year's Classics meet.

But Gretchen finds it easy to live with the record breaker, considering it is her daughter.

Sugar Creek swimmer Rachel Lentz finished the breaststroke in 18:69 that day, breaking her mother's 25-year old record.

�It was a big relief,� Rachel said. �When my mom was telling me about this record she had, I always wanted to break it. I was excited and relieved and happy, all at the same time.�

�You can't put it into words,� Gretchen said. �I get really caught up in it. I was so happy for her. She was so proud of herself. She has just worked so hard. Just to see her face when she came up, it was out of this world. Every time I think about it, I get emotional.�

Gretchen said Rachel entered the Classics meet with a personal best time of 19.08 in the event.

�I knew she could do it,� Gretchen said, �but honestly I never thought she would break a 19. She's a great swimmer. She has a lot of heart, and she wanted it. I don't know if ever in SAIL we've had a daughter break a mother's record, especially one that has stood that long.�

Gretchen will never be allowed to forget this broken record, because that is exactly what Rachel has sounded like over the past week.

�She reminds me every day, �I broke your record, Mom. I broke your record, Mom. I broke your record, Mom,' Gretchen said with a laugh. �She wanted to break it so bad, so she could tease me.�

Although she shattered her mother's time, Rachel does not own the record. She finished second in the event, as Silverleaf swimmer Alaina Riordan finished with a time of 17.88.

�All the credit goes to her,� Gretchen said of Riordan. �She is a phenomenal swimmer. I don't think anybody's ever even gone in the 19s up until this point. To go 17.88, she was flying.

�It would have been completely unbelievable had Rachel been the only person to break it, but it's a super-sweet situation. I couldn't ask for anything more.�

However, Rachel already has her eyes on more.

�Next year, I'll move up to the next age group,� she said, �and I want to beat all of my mom's times up there.�

Mandrallius Robinson can be reached at 298-4314.