Murphy: I was shutting it down until I saw the jumbotron (Video)

Reported by Mitch Bowmile.

MEN’S 100M BACKSTROKE SEMIFINALS

Top seed: David Plummer (53.22)
World record: 51.94 – Aaron Peirsol
American record: 51.94 – Aaron Peirsol
U.S Open record: 51.94 – Aaron Peirsol
U.S Nationals record: 51.94 – Aaron Peirsol
JR World record: 53.67 – Javier Acevedo (Canada)
2012 Winning Time: 52.08 – Matt Grevers

Ryan Murphy threw down a wicked 100m backstroke to put up the top time in the world this year in the first semifinal. Murphy was a 52.28 at the wall, just shy of his 52.18 personal best.

Indicative of the absolute depth that the United States has in the 100m backstroke, in the second semifinal, David Plummer bettered that time with a 52.12 in order to become the fastest swimmer this season in the event.

Plummer’s time also ranks as the fifth fastest 100m backstroke ever, ranks him as the fifth fastest backstroker of all time, and sets him up nicely for tomorrow’s final.

Riding Plummer’s hip in the second semifinal was 2012 Olympic gold medallist Matt Grevers. Grevers took the third seed overall with a 52.64.

While the way Murphy and Plummer are swimming, Aaron Perisol’s 100m backstroke world record looks to be in jeopardy tomorrow night.

TOP 8

  1. David Plummer (52.12)
  2. Ryan Murphy (52.28)
  3. Matt Grevers (52.64)
  4. Jacob Pebley (53.10)
  5. Michael Taylor (54.07)
  6. Sean Lehane (54.08)
  7. John Shebat (54.52)
  8. Jake Taylor (54.63)

For official results click here.

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theroboticrichardsimmons
8 years ago

it’s quite possible that going under the WR will be required to make this team.

shehulkswim
8 years ago

this is such bs. I hear so many swimmers say things like this after a race and then add time at finals. “wow, I went so fast but didn’t even try.” *adds a second in finals while “trying”*

xenon
8 years ago

He did shut it down in this race. He flipped the switch at 15 to go and slowed his tempo down to .70 over the last 15 last night. I went back and watched his 52.18 race and he maintains around a .65 tempo the last 15. I think he can get under 52 tonight. I don’t expect a huge drop though. It looked like he was only .2 faster to 85 meters last night than he was on that 52.18 race. I predict a 51.97, just off the world record tonight.

Dawgpaddle
8 years ago

MURPHMAN for the win and WR at 51.87, bank on that. He is so cool too.

John haas
8 years ago

Go Plummer!!!!

Optimistic person
8 years ago

Prediction: Brevets was holding back along yesterday, today he goes 51.6 to destroy the WR, followed by Murphy also under WR (as much as a want Plummer to win he may have spent to much yesterday) Plummer also under the WR in 3rd. Peabody goes 52.5 for 4th. Taylor gets dragged to 52.9 for the fastest 17-18 time. Everyone else goes 54 low to mid.

PowerPlay
8 years ago

Rooting for Plummer. Murphy has many years ahead of him. Like to see the old man get WR and gold.

completelyconquered
Reply to  PowerPlay
8 years ago

I’m going for Murphy. Plummer was unfairly chosen for the World team over Murphy two years ago because of a dumb selection rule.

Lol
8 years ago

Plummer just blew away the rest of the field. He will get his spot.

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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