Ryan Murphy, on the men’s side of Team USA, is it. He’s the star. After Rio, after taking three Olympic gold medals, he’s the man to watch. For me, he sealed his status in the history books when he broke the world record in the 100 back leading off the medley relay. I didn’t see that coming, not even after his 43.4 100 yard back at 2016 Men’s NCAA DI Championships. If Michael Phelps hadn’t been in his swan song Olympic chapter, Murphy would’ve captured most of the network primetime love. He’s clearly on track to icon status like his Olympic brothers Aaron Peirsol and John Naber.
Ryan was nice enough to check in with us at the 2016 Georgia Invite. He appeared very relaxed and in his element. The guy loves his Cal Golden Bears. After his astounding swims at the 2016 NCAA Championships, can he improve on the performance, individually? Post Olympic years can be sleepy, and times don’t matter at NCAAs. It’s all about the points. Bearing that in mind, will Murphy swim faster than 43.4 100 back or 1:35 200 back in Indianapolis in March 2017? I’ll play. I say he’s faster in 100 back by hair, 43.2. In the 200 back, he’s slightly slower. What do you think?
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What is the song around 2:20 in the video?
Interesting question about whether he will ever become competitive internationally in non-backstroke events.
2IM seems possible – on the one hand, in the post-Phelps and (possibly) post-Lochte era, the 200IM is wide open. And Murhpy’s backstroke translated perfectly well to LCM – as I have said before, his walls are great, but his not dependent on them at all; he is fantastic on the surface. Key question is, and I think this remains to be answered, is that true for his other strokes too?
100/200 free – I see a little more likelihood in the 100, but both are a possibility. Wouldn’t shock me if he makes both freestyle relay squads for Worlds/Tokyo.
I find this interesting because, like breastroke… Read more »
Lochte was a Backstroker first that transitioned to all strokes
Yes but by the time he was a senior, he won the 200 IM 400 IM and 200 Back at NCAAs. I’m pretty sure he also broke Dolan’s 400 IM record that year
So he was sorta an all around swimmer
the Lochte comparison is an interesting one. It’s a too competitive now for him to try and train for anything other than backstroke. I think 100 free is his best option but even that is hard breakthrough especially if the relay only swimmer rule is in effect for worlds. People were wanting Conger to swim on the relay in rio so how is Murphy going to get a chance
I’ve thought for the last couple years that he had a shot at the 4×100 and he could probably do a good 200 as well although I think he is generally a little better at 100s. Thankfully with just prelims and finals at WCT he does have to worry as much about freestyle races interfering with his baby. I don’t think his 200 IM will ever translate to the big pool. He relies on world class pullouts in that race and then gives up too much grounds on the surface.
I’m REALLY interested to see what Murphy goes in the 50 back. Last time he swam it was at the 2013 World Trials.
I know you guys are just having fun with the predictions. Realistically? He is only going shave a few tenths of his 100 and maybe up to second off his 200. We should be discussing if he can be relevant in other events internationally? 100fr or 200IM etc
He has the potential to go sub 1:30 in the backstroke.
dude……. I was thinking at least 1:25 point “this is a football bat prediction”
Hahaha. A better test would be Larkin’s SCM WR in 2Back. Sub 1:45 for some $$$$$
No need to chase that though until after his eligibility is up. He’ll get it at some point but he may as well capitalize when he does from WR bonuses he’ll have from sponsors.
43.2 100 back and 1:35.1. Honestly though it’ll be super tough for him to beat those times from last year, but I think he can do it.
NCAA’s – 42.99 and 1:34.8
Worlds – 51.5 and 1:52.5 and a 47.7 split on the 4×100 free relay
I’m sipping the Kool-Aid on Murphy. The dude is a STAR
42.9 100y back???? As mentioned, my head might explode. That’s insane…. I bet Murph does it, cracks 43 seconds at some in his career, but 42.9 in Indy in March17, that would be mind-blowing…..
I think 2016 NCAAs may have been the greatest ever. I think it spoiled us… I’ll never forget saying, “Ok, night 3 is going to be chill, not like night 1 or 2, because it can’t get any better.” And I was soooo wrong.
1:33.74 200 back this year!
If I see a 1:33 200y-back, my head might explode…. Seems like an alternate-dimension superhero performance…