Ryan Murphy, on the men’s side of Team USA, is it. He’s the star. After Rio, after taking three Olympic gold medals, he’s the man to watch. For me, he sealed his status in the history books when he broke the world record in the 100 back leading off the medley relay. I didn’t see that coming, not even after his 43.4 100 yard back at 2016 Men’s NCAA DI Championships. If Michael Phelps hadn’t been in his swan song Olympic chapter, Murphy would’ve captured most of the network primetime love. He’s clearly on track to icon status like his Olympic brothers Aaron Peirsol and John Naber.
Ryan was nice enough to check in with us at the 2016 Georgia Invite. He appeared very relaxed and in his element. The guy loves his Cal Golden Bears. After his astounding swims at the 2016 NCAA Championships, can he improve on the performance, individually? Post Olympic years can be sleepy, and times don’t matter at NCAAs. It’s all about the points. Bearing that in mind, will Murphy swim faster than 43.4 100 back or 1:35 200 back in Indianapolis in March 2017? I’ll play. I say he’s faster in 100 back by hair, 43.2. In the 200 back, he’s slightly slower. What do you think?
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1:33.74 200 back this year!
If I see a 1:33 200y-back, my head might explode…. Seems like an alternate-dimension superhero performance…
NCAA’s – 42.99 and 1:34.8
Worlds – 51.5 and 1:52.5 and a 47.7 split on the 4×100 free relay
I’m sipping the Kool-Aid on Murphy. The dude is a STAR
42.9 100y back???? As mentioned, my head might explode. That’s insane…. I bet Murph does it, cracks 43 seconds at some in his career, but 42.9 in Indy in March17, that would be mind-blowing…..
I think 2016 NCAAs may have been the greatest ever. I think it spoiled us… I’ll never forget saying, “Ok, night 3 is going to be chill, not like night 1 or 2, because it can’t get any better.” And I was soooo wrong.
43.2 100 back and 1:35.1. Honestly though it’ll be super tough for him to beat those times from last year, but I think he can do it.