2024 U.S. Olympic Trials: Long Arms for Armstrong Gets it Done – 2nd in 1 Back

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

• June 15-23, 2024
• Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis, IN
• LCM (50 Meters)
• Session Start Times (ET):
  • 11 a.m. Prelims
  • 7:45 p.m. Finals (varying based on broadcast needs)
• Meet Central
• Broadcast Info
• SwimSwam’s Definitive Guide to Trials
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• SwimSwam Preview Index
• SwimSwam Pick ’em Contest
• Prelims Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
• Finals Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3
• Prelims Live Stream
• Day 3 Finals Live Stream (USA)
• Day 3 Finals Heat Sheet

MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE — FINAL

• World Record: 51.60 — Thomas Ceccon (ITA), 2022
• American Record: 51.85 — Ryan Murphy, 2016
• U.S. Open Record: 51.94 — Aaron Peirsol (USA), 2009
• World Junior Record: 52.53 — Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 2018
• 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials Champion: Ryan Murphy, 52.33
• 2024 Olympic Qualifying Time: 53.74

1. Ryan Murphy (CAL), 52.22
2. Hunter Armstrong (NYAC), 52.72
3. Jack Aikins (SA), 52.74
4. Adam Chaney (FLOR), 53.44
5. Justin Ress (MVN), 53.57
6. Will Modglin (ZSC), 53.69
7. Jack Wilkening (MICH), 53.79
8. Tommy Janton (ND), 53.87

After a horrendous start and a heroic comeback in the semifinal of the 100 back last night, Hunter Armstrong did all he could to make his second Olympic team in the finals of the 100 back tonight.

Entering as the 4th seed, the defending 2024 Doha Worlds Champion, Armstong, had, to at least the visible eye, an unimpeded start to his race. Armstrong, who was once the former record holder in the 50 back, had a strong start to his race out in 25.36; for comparison, he was out in 26.37 with the bad start last night. Armstrong trailed Ryan Murphy, the American Record holder, by just .08 back at the turn and was right in the mix of it.

However, being second at the turn is no guarantee of victory, and Jack Aikins made a strong, inspired run to try to track Armstrong down. Aikins, who finished 4th at the 2024 Doha Worlds in the 200 and 8th in the 100 back, used his distance pedigree to move up to challenge Armstrong after being in 4th at the turn. With Aikins surging and Murphy already ahead, Armstrong used either his long arms or pulled off another one of his magic acts to get the touch by just .02.

Armstrong finished in 52.72, slower than his winning time in Doha and well off his 51.98 personal best, but in the final of the Olympic trials, time matters less than finishing first or second. Armstrong will likely be joining Ryan Murphy in the 100 back in Paris. Murphy joined an illustrious club of having won the same event at three successive Olympics and will be looking to improve upon his bronze medal from Tokyo.