Ryan Murphy is still only 17 years old, but he’s already got a seven-tenths of a second advantage on any other 17-18 backstroker in history (namely, Jack Conger) after swimming a 53.38 in finals of the men’s 100 backstroke on Friday night in Indianapolis, Indiana.
His swim was at the same time exciting and disappointing. It was exciting as the result broke his own National Age Group Record of 53.62 from prelims (which belonged to Conger at 54.07 before that). The disappointment is that the result was only good enough for 3rd, coming in behind Matt Grevers (53.25) and David Plummer (53.10), meaning Murphy won’t qualify for Worlds (barring something miraculous on Saturday).
Murphy will now settle in for the summer and prepare for his first season at Cal, where he’ll swim next fall under Dave Durden.
Here’s the comparative splits from Murphy’s morning record, evening record, and the old mark.
Conger ’12 – 26.50 – 27.57 – 54.07
Murphy ’13 (AM) – 26.06 – 27.56 – 53.62
Murphy ’13 (PM) – 25.91 – 27.47 – 53.38
Including times done with he was only 16, Murphy now has the four best times ever done by a junior (18 & under) swimmer in the United States: 53.92, 53.76, 53.62, and 53.38.
Men’s 100 back final
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNQpbynLxd0
The US team will be Grevers/Murphy in 2015 and 2016.
Just a question. Is it true the US team for Kazan in 2015 will be selected at the nationals in 2014? One year before as it was the case for 2007 and for 2011. If yes, why this choice every 4 years? It means if you are not at your best next year, the next 2 years will be very long. Allison Schmitt for example will have to rebound very quickly, otherwhise, the next time we could see her in the US team would be only in 2016! I ask the question because in an article about Bob Bowman and a possible comeback of Michael Phelps (sorry it’s in… Read more »
No answer?
Still no answer?
Did anyone notice Murphy swam ~102 meters in that race? The first 50 he was hugging the left side of the lane line and by the end of the race he was hugging the right side. If he would’ve swam straight down the middle he would’ve made the team and maybe have outright won the race.
So proud of Ryan!!! Congratulations!
Fun fact: Grevers and Plummer were both 55.7s as 18 year olds. Murphy has another year to go.
I like that fact! Killer.
Don’t you think that has most to do with the underwaters on starts and turns? I’m sure Grevers and Plummer weren’t doing them anything like Ryan is back then!
Is he tapering again this summer???
Go Bears!
Way to go Ryan! Congrats.