17-year old Bolles swimmer Ryan Murphy broke yet another National Age Group Record at the 2012 Winter National Championships in Austin on Saturday, swimming a 1:38.15 in the 200 backstroke. That crushed the old record of 1:40.41, previously held by fellow class of 2012’er Jack Conger, to unify the 100 and 200 yard backstroke records. This gives Murphy an even 10 National Age Group Records in yards throughout the age groups to go along with four in long course. He only turned 17 this summer, so even though he’s a senior in high school he will have a lot of time to raise that number before he turns 19 (much like we saw from Arizona’s Kevin Cordes, who got through the summer after his freshman year before moving out of the age groups).
The difference between his swim and Conger’s is the opening speed – Murphy was out in 47.83, whereas Conger hit only 48.93. That opening 100 from Murphy stands alone as one of the better 100 backstrokes you’ll see from a 17-year old, and he didn’t slow down with 25.1’s on the third and fourth 50’s.
The swim by Murphy, which disappointingly was without a Ryan Lochte appearance in the final, would have easily won last year’s NCAA Championship and is the 4th-fastest swim ever by a swimmer of any age. The only swimmers who have been faster are Lochte and Tyler Clary, who took bronze and gold medals at the Olympics in this event over the summer.
Murphy was pushed the whole way by Russian Arkady Vyatchanin, a training partner of Lochte, who was 2nd just behind in 1:38.22.
| Conger ’11 | 23.55 | 25.38 | 26.06 | 25.42 | 1:40.41 |
| Murphy ’12 | 22.97 | 24.86 | 25.18 | 25.14 | 1:38.15 |
does anyone know why jacob pebley isn’t swimming at the Georgia Invite?
Jacob Pebley is swimming at the Georgia meet. He has been in the backstrokes, IM, 800 free relay (B), and (B) medley relays.
Pebley didn’t swim IM’s just 100/200 back, then back on all B medley relays, and a leg on the 800 free relay according to the results from the Georgia Invite
yeah i must have missed it…just seems like they are without a stud or something…i know shields but someone else seems to be missing
Congrats to Ryan Murphy. We knew for a few years now he was the next American star on backstroke. It’s time now for Jack Conger and Jacob Pebley to respond to this attack.
why did Lochte drop out of finals? If I recall, he had a great prelim swim (…or was that another race?)
I know it’s hard to compare since everyone is at different points of their taper (if at all)…but this meet was really incredible! So many NAG and ARs broken! Congrats to everyone!!
(also realized why the olympics is in LC…longer pool = larger in-stadium audience!)
I think some of it’s from the suits. They no longer have any rubber, but many of the new ones still have zoned compression and a body stability web. Probably they fit the letter, but not the spirit, of the suit rules.