Hunter Armstrong Clocks Second-Fastest 100 Back Time Ever in January

by Riley Overend 13

January 13th, 2023 National, News, Pro Swim Series

PRO SWIM SERIES – KNOXVILLE

Hunter Armstrong’s winning time of 52.68 in the 100 backstroke finals on Friday night at the Pro Swim Series was the second-fastest ever in the month of January. 

Only Japan’s Ryosuke Irie has been faster in January, when he clocked a 52.59 on his 30th birthday in 2020. Armstrong, 21, only missed David Plummer’s Pro Swim Series record by .28 seconds. 

MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE — FINALS

  • World Record: 51.60 – Thomas Ceccon, ITA (2022)
  • World Junior Record: 52.53 – Kliment Kolesnikov, RUS (2018)
  • American Record: 51.85 – Ryan Murphy (2016)
  • U.S. Open Record: 51.94 – Aaron Peirsol (2009)
  • Pro Swim Series Record: 52.40 – David Plummer (2016)

Top 3:

  1. Hunter Armstrong (California Aquatics) — 52.68
  2. Ryan Murphy (California Aquatics) — 53.47
  3. Daniel Diehl (CUY) — 54.50

Armstrong finished nearly a second ahead of Ryan Murphy (53.47), who edged Armstrong for the silver medal at last summer’s World Championships. The pair have been training partners at Cal since last May, when Armstrong followed former Ohio State coach Matt Bowe to Berkeley with his focus on long-course training. Another Cal swimmer, Destin Lasco, placed fourth with a 54.85, so he clearly has no shortage of formidable training partners. 

Armstrong’s early-season speed is a strong indicator that his decision last April to retire from NCAA swimming early and turn pro is paying off.

On Thursday, he earned a runner-up finish in the 50 back with a 24.70, a couple tenths behind Justin Ress’ new Pro Swim record of 24.49. Armstrong, the world record holder in the 50 back, also finished behind Ress in the event at last summer’s World Championships.

Armstrong is taking on a double on Saturday with the 200 back and 100 free on his slate. 

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YellowSubMarine
1 year ago

I did not actually expect to read a 51.something time but 52.68 was still puzzling after that flashy headline.

Geez
1 year ago

In the rain, on a train, fastest reaction time in 100 backstroke in January coming up next.

D2 swimming super fan
1 year ago

ESPN stat

liemse
1 year ago

Hunter Armstrong in long course >>>> Hunter Armstrong in short course

O. Wilson
1 year ago

But was it the fastest time ever on Friday the 13th

Yoo
1 year ago

Expect that headline will change with there being a January Worlds next year.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Yoo
1 year ago

It feels like a lot of really excessive qualifying.

I mean I suppose it’s good! But I don’t really know what it portends. (Second fastest swim on the second Friday of the first month of the calendar year…)

Yoo
Reply to  Steve Nolan
1 year ago

True

Andrew
1 year ago

Coaching staff should’ve put him as MR lead off and US would’ve won at LC worlds

Last edited 1 year ago by Andrew
Troyy
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Then he’ll just have to beat Murphy in the individual next time.

Teddy
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Murphy is so proven that it would be hard to defend that decision if he doesn’t swim amazing

Last edited 1 year ago by Teddy
Mike
Reply to  Teddy
1 year ago

Murphy has been subpar these pase 2 world’s in the MR.

PFA
1 year ago

That headline still scares me even when I see it months later. Great title

https://swimswam.com/hunter-armstrong-retires-from-ncaa-swimming-will-turn-pro/

About Riley Overend

Riley is an associate editor interested in the stories taking place outside of the pool just as much as the drama between the lane lines. A 2019 graduate of Boston College, he arrived at SwimSwam in April of 2022 after three years as a sports reporter and sports editor at newspapers …

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