Swimming Video / Race Video courtesy of USA Swimming.
Matt Grevers (photo: Mike Lewis, Ola Vista Photography)
MEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE – FINALS RECAP – 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series Austin
Matt Grevers is one of the only veterans left in the 100m backstroke in American swimming, an event which has plenty of depth throughout all ages. Tonight, it seemed as though he would have a showdown between rising star Ryan Murphy from Cal, but Grevers had other plans in mind.
Right from the get-go Grevers took the lead. He was way ahead of the rest of the field at the 50 turning in 25.97 with Japanese backstroker and Club Wolverine swimmer Junya Koga second in 26.11.
It was clear that nobody was catching Grevers, but he kept charging. He was slightly long on his finish, but managed to grab a first place finish with a time of 53.27. Second was Ryan Murphy of Cal who split a 27.59 on the final lap to pass Koga, and take the silver in 53.82.
Koga was just behind Murphy with a 53.87.
Cal’s other backstroke star, Jacob Pebley, finished sixth overall with a time of 55.65.
One of the best back half i have seen from Grevers for a while . Very good underwater at the turn that gave him the rythm to close the second 50 . Without that misjudged finish , he coudl have been around 52.9 . Very promising for this year WC .