Hunter Armstrong the New Big Ten 100 BK Favorite, But IU Repeats in 400 Medley

2021 BIG TEN MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

• When: Tuesday, March 2nd to Saturday, March 6th | Prelims 11am | Finals 5pm Tues, 6:30pm Wed-Sat (ET)
• Where: Ohio State University (Eastern Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: Michigan (1x) (2020 results)
• Streaming: Big Ten Network
• Championship Central
• Live Results

TEAM SCORES (THROUGH DAY 2)

1. Ohio State – 628
2. Indiana – 547.5
3. Michigan – 526
4. Purdue – 414.5
5. Wisconsin – 345
6. Northwestern – 296
7. Penn State – 267
8. Minnesota – 259
9. Iowa – 250
10. Michigan State – 102

Ohio State has opened up a lead of over 80 points on Indiana after the first day of individual events, with Michigan pulling right up behind Indiana in the title hunt.

One of the big swims for Ohio State tonight, aside from their wins in the 200 IM and 50 free, came in the 400 medley relay. West Virginia University transfer Hunter Armstrong led off in 44.92, which is an enormous best for the sophomore. Armstrong was 46.22 previously, a time he swam at the 2020 Big 12 Championships when he was with the Mountaineers.

Though OSU didn’t win the relay, settling for third, Armstrong has emerged as the surprise favorite for the 100 back title Friday night. Last year in the 100 back final, a 46.22 would’ve taken fifth, as Indiana’s Gabriel Fantoni won easily with a 44.92– that’s the exact time Armstrong went tonight.

Fantoni was 45.26 leading off Indiana’s medley tonight, and while the senior has experience on his side, Armstrong might have the momentum.

Meanwhile, the Hoosiers defended their 400 medley relay title from 2020, hitting nearly the same time as last year. In terms of the field’s top splits, Armstrong was the only sub-45 on back, while Max McHugh was 50.09 to lead five swimmers under 51 on respective breast legs. Eight teams had breaststrokers split sub-52.

Indiana’s Brendan Burns and Michigan’s River Wright were both 44.8s on their respective fly legs, while Purdue’s Nikola Acin led the anchor legs with a 41.44.

RELAY SPLITS

100 BACK

100 BREAST

100 FLY

100 FREE