Michael Taylor Swims Junior World Record 200 Back in Semifinals

2016 U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS

Dynamo’s Michael Taylor swam 1:56.78 in the semifinals of the men’s 200 back tonight to take down the Junior World Record set by Li Zhuhao at the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia last summer.

His splits from today’s record-breaking swim are below:

  • 27.27
  • 29.66 (57.25)
  • 29.67
  • 28.44 (59.53)

His swim tonight also places him fifth in the all-time American rankings, behind only the likes of Aaron Peirsol, Michael Phelps, Jack Congerand Ryan MurphyThe all-time American 17-18 rankings are below:

  1. Aaron Peirsol: 1:55.15 (2002)
  2. Michael Phelps: 1:55.30 (2004)
  3. Jack Conger: 1:55.47 (2013)
  4. Ryan Murphy: 1:55.87 (2013)
  5. Michael Taylor: 1:56.78 (2016)

Taylor came up fifth in the semifinals, scoring the seventeen-year-old a slot in the final tomorrow night. He will take on the final against Murphy (1:55.04), Jacob Pebley (1:55.18), Tyler Clary (1:55.92), Sean Lehane (1:56.43), Austin Katz (1:57.79), Robert Owen (1:57.79), and Hennessey Stuart (1:58.20).

Earlier this week in prelims, Taylor swam the second-fastest American 17-18 100 backstroke with 53.77.

See the full results of the men’s 200 backstroke semifinals here.

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mbl
6 years ago

The splits that are shown here are Ryan Murphy’s splits from the semis, not Taylor’s.

Dan
7 years ago

I know Micheal was about 1 second faster but there is another 17-18 year old in the final, Austin Katz who was 3rd behind Micheal at Junior Worlds in the 200 back. Men’s backstroke looks like it will continue to be strong for a while at least.

bobo gigi
Reply to  Dan
7 years ago

You’re right to mention him.

SwimNerd
7 years ago

Great article, great swim!

Just one point of note- the former world record was held by Li Guangyuan.

SwimNerd
Reply to  SwimNerd
7 years ago

Junior* world record.

bobo gigi
7 years ago
bobo gigi
7 years ago

He’s one the biggest revelations of this week.
We already knew his name as he won 2 silver medals at last year’s world junior championships in the 100 and 200 back.
But he’s at another level now and crushed his best times under pressure against the best Americans.
We had a 3-guy battle in the 100 back this year. I think we’ll have a 3-guy battle in each backstroke event in 2020 with Murphy, Conger and Taylor.

Klorn8d
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

Conger? You the leader of the “conger should never swim backstroke again” fan club. And I agree

bobo gigi
Reply to  Klorn8d
7 years ago

Sorry I don’t know why I wrote Conger. I meant Pebley of course.

nemofish
7 years ago

Aaron Peirsol, what a BA!

bobo gigi
Reply to  nemofish
7 years ago

The greatest backstroker ever.
A legend!

Zanna
7 years ago

Has he committed to any college?

bobo gigi
Reply to  Zanna
7 years ago

No idea but as he’s from Dynamo, maybe Georgia?

What?
7 years ago

Wow! What a awesome last 50!!!

About Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht grew up in Kansas and spent most of her childhood trying to convince coaches to let her swim backstroke in freestyle sets. She took her passion to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and swam at NAIA Nationals all four years. After graduating in 2015, she moved to …

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