2016 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 23 – Saturday, March 26
- McAuley Aquatic Center – Atlanta, GA
- Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
- Defending Champion: Texas (results)
- Championship Central
- Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday prelins & finals, Friday/Saturday prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
- Live results
Cal’s Ryan Murphy rolled to another historic swim as the backstroker on the Golden Bears’ 200 medley relay. Murphy split a 20.20 on the lead off, clearing the previous mark of 20.35 done by Junya Koga in 2014.
That was a best time by Murphy. He swam a 20.69 on Cal’s relay in finals last season and 20.49 in prelims today. His time tonight was over four tenths faster than the 20.84 he swam on Cal’s American Record setting relay in 2015 NCAA prelims.
| Swim | Time |
| Murphy 2016 Finals | 20.20 |
| Murphy 2016 Prelims | 20.49 |
| Murphy 2015 Finals | 20.69 |
| Murphy 2015 Prelims | 20.84 |
Compared to the rest of the field, Murphy was over 7 tenths faster than anyone else. The next fastest men on the backstroke split were Alabama’s Connor Oslin with 20.86 split and Georgia’s Taylor Dale with a 20.82 split.
Murphy is now the fastest swimmer in history across all 3 backstroke distances in short course yards. Before swimming the fastest 50 ever tonight, he won the 100 backstroke in record setting fashion with a 43.49. His top mark in the 200 back is a 1:36.77. After his strong showing tonight, he’s the clear favorite to win another NCAA title in that event and break his own American Record.
This is not the fastest 50. Pavel sankovich of FSU lead off the 200medley relay at ACCs in 19.99 in 2014.
21.05 according to these results http://www.greensboroaquaticcenter.com/sites/default/files/race-results/2014ACCMen/index.htm
Deck pass has his best 50 back at 20.99.
Mike- Pavel Sankovich did not lead off with a 19.99 at 2014 ACCs. He led off with a 21.05.
Swimdoc, I also brought this up yesterday after Murphy broke the record in the relay leadoff. I asked if this is the first championship meet with the ledge, but now I assume it is.
I still believe the outcome would be a record for Murphy, however it makes sense that there would be an advantage with the ledge. More height can be attained which would translate into a faster entry. ..not certain exactly how much of a benefit, but perhaps someone has done more research on this and can share.
Not trying to denigrate his records at all, just trying to stack up Thoman’s 44.0 and Murphy’s 43.5. It’s obviously worth some advantage or we wouldn’t have it. It’s not a .5 sec advantage, but I was interested in hearing from people who’ve actually used the ledge whether they feel it’s worth a few tenths or not. Going from being able to curl the toes on the gutter to not was a pretty significant disadvantage back in the day when that change occurred.
Also Crews Wellford
Doesn’t really matter. Records have been broken over the years because of a multitude of rule changes. The old backstroke records didn’t stand a chance when they changed the turn rules, and breaststroke is totally different with heads going underwater and that massive fly kick off the wall. Then there is the suit tecnology.Time marches on and the sport changes and progresses, and the records drop.
The wedge on the back of the blocks is probably a bigger boost than the ledge in the water. That’s a recent addition, too.
Not the point. Trying to compare Thoman’s old 40.0 vs Murphy’s 43.5. They’re both competing for the same spot on the Olympic team. Thoman’s been dormant, but he shows up big when it counts, and he’s the defending silver medalist.
This is just me…but I feel anybody discussing the merits of the ledge are pre 90s…as long as Colorado or Omega pads are properly fastened in it is ridiculously easy to get a perfect start of off them. As someone that swam my whole LSC career watching Murphy swim, there is nothing in my mind to denigrate that 20.2 and 43.4, next level swimming
Backstroke ledge is worth how many tenths? Discuss.
I like the idea of the ledges but I think they need to stay below the water line. It did not seem like much of an in water start the way some of the teams had them set up.
Schooling nabbed the 50 fly fastest split tonight as well (with the 100, too, obviously). If he gets the 200 record tomorrow, that’ll give Bolles a complete sweep of the fastest back and fly at all distances, plus the 50 free (and potentially 100 free)
…I forgot they were all Bolles kids. Damn.
Pretty much the top 3 swimmers at this meet, Haas notwithstanding.