Hunter Armstrong: “It is kinda nice, though, to have people taller than me”

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

Reported by James Sutherland.

MEN’S 100 BACK FINAL

  • World Record: Ryan Murphy (USA) – 51.85 (2016)
  • American Record: Ryan Murphy (USA) – 51.85 (2016)
  • US Open Record: Aaron Peirsol (USA) – 51.94 (2009)
  • World Junior Record: Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 52.53 (2018)
  • 2016 Olympic Champion: Ryan Murphy (USA) – 51.97
  • 2016 US Olympic Trials Champion: Ryan Murphy – 52.26
  • Wave I Cut: 56.59
  • Wave II Cut: 55.51
  • FINA ‘A’ Cut: 53.85
  1. Ryan Murphy (CAL), 52.33
  2. Hunter Armstrong (OSU), 52.48
  3. Shaine Casas (TAMU), 52.76

Ryan Murphy held off an unbelievable late push from the upstart Hunter Armstrong to win his second straight Olympic Trials 100 backstroke title in a time of 52.33, adding just over a tenth to his season-best (52.22) from last night.

That swim from the semi-finals ranks Murphy second in the 2020-21 world rankings.

Armstrong, a 20-year-old out of Ohio State, surprised many when he popped off with a 52.67 swim in the semi-finals, and he went almost a full two-tenths quicker tonight to make the team (most likely) in the second spot.

Turning seventh at the 50 in 25.73, Armstrong turned on the jets coming back, marking the only swimmer in the field to close sub-27 in 26.78. That moved him past early leader Shaine Casas to snag the runner-up spot in 52.48, making him the fifth-fastest American of all-time.

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GATOR CHOMP 🐊
2 years ago

Excited to see what he accomplishes at Tokyo

Daaaave
2 years ago

Reasonably confident we don’t need to worry about this guy knocking down any posters at local gas stations returning from post-Games benders

Penguin
Reply to  Daaaave
2 years ago

Holy s**t someone knocked down a poster? That should have made international headlines and been covered by the major news outlets in the US for weeks on end!

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Penguin
2 years ago

The good old days. When all we had to worry about as an international and national crisis was Lochte. A real threat to democracy. I’d love to replay some of those comments from then and hold them up to the past 4 years’ news.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Daaaave
2 years ago

That as a terrible story ….what a drama breaking news headline lol

John Culhane
2 years ago

I don’t want to disparage people’s religious beliefs, but I do get tired of hearing the constant praising of “the Lord above.” Thank the people and support you receive, y’know, here on Earth.

Kachow
Reply to  John Culhane
2 years ago

Waiting for the day someone thanks Xenu. L. Ron Hoyabembe was a pretty strong swimmer back in the day.

Alex Dragovich
Reply to  John Culhane
2 years ago

Well as hard as you tried not to, you just disparaged them. Sometimes it’s better to keep the voice inside your head where it is.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Alex Dragovich
2 years ago

His beliefs are there is nothing above my ego mind . His choice

Sailing Swimmer
2 years ago

His name is Hunter “The Magic Man” Armstrong for a reason.

Last edited 2 years ago by Sailing Swimmer
Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Sailing Swimmer
2 years ago

He’s a Heart fan?

Retiredswammer16
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

Go find his Instagram

Mark
2 years ago

Dover representing!

Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

This dude’s going to go full-on Held if he makes it to the podium.

PVSFree
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
2 years ago

I think you mean when he makes the podium

Joe
2 years ago

You are making all of us feel bad about ourselves. Started swimming full time after dropping football two years ago.

Retiredswammer16
Reply to  Joe
2 years ago

He swam long course for the first time in 2017. Didn’t really commit until 2018. Truly insane

Kachow
2 years ago

You ruined my pickem. Congrats though, I guess.

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