Ryan Murphy Re-Breaks National Age Group Record in 100 Back Finals

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.

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bobo gigi
11 years ago
bobo gigi
11 years ago

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 »

bobo gigi
Reply to  bobo gigi
11 years ago

No answer?

bobo gigi
Reply to  bobo gigi
11 years ago

Still no answer?

Bossanova
11 years ago

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.

Katy
11 years ago

So proud of Ryan!!! Congratulations!

5w1mm3r
11 years ago

Fun fact: Grevers and Plummer were both 55.7s as 18 year olds. Murphy has another year to go.

Danjohnrob
Reply to  Braden Keith
11 years ago

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!

pvk
11 years ago

Is he tapering again this summer???

swimfan25
11 years ago

Go Bears!

Maalco
11 years ago

Way to go Ryan! Congrats.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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