Taylor Dale and Shane Ryan to Swim Off to Make 100 Back A-Final

2017 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Wednesday, March 22 – Saturday, March 25
• IUPUI Natatorium – Indianapolis, IN
• Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
• Defending Champion: Texas (results)
• Championship Central
• Psych Sheet
• Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday Prelims & Finals, Friday/Saturday Prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
• Event Previews
• Live Results
• Friday prelim heat sheets

An audible gasp was heard around the IUPUI Natatorium as the preliminary results for the 100 back rolled up on the screen.  Georgia senior Taylor Dale and Penn State senior Shane Ryan had both touched in 45.27, tying for 8th place and necessitating swimming’s version of a high noon duel, a swim-off, to determine who woillmake the A-final.

Ryan, who redshirted last year en route to representing Ireland in the Rio Olympics, placed 2nd in this event in 2014 and 3rd in 2015.  Dale, meanwhile, will be shooting for his first championship final appearance after placing 9th last year and 13th in 2014.

No word yet on when the swim-off will be, but it could be Dale’s third swim of the morning.  He DFS’d the 100 fly, swam the 100 back, and then presumably will swim the backstroke leg on Georgia’s medley relay shortly.  Penn State did not qualify any relays this year, so Ryan should be able to get a little more rest.

We’ll be back with the results of the swim-off once it happens.