U.S. Olympic Trials: Matt Grevers Grabs Textile Best in 100 Back Triumph

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OMAHA, Nebraska, June 27. WHILE the world records done in techsuits have been safe this week, plenty of the textile bests have been falling, the latest being Matt Grevers in the men's 100 back at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Grevers blitzed the field with a 52.08 as the giant of a man beat Camille Lacourt's 2010 effort of 52.11 as the fastest in textile. With the win, Grevers is headed to his second straight Olympics, and moved from second to first in the event after two-time champion Aaron Peirsol called it a career after the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships. He won gold in Beijing as a prelim relay member of the 400 medley relay, and took silver in the men's 100 back. He will be looking for gold in London, and to keep the 100 back Olympic title in U.S. hands, a streak that runs back to Jeff Rouse topping the 1996 Games with a 54.10.

Grever's effort also is now the second-fastest of all time behind only Aaron Peirsol's world record of 51.94.

SwimMAC's Nick Thoman earned his first spot on the Olympic team, after finishing fifth in both the 100 and 200 backstroke events at the 2008 Omaha Trials. Thoman clocked a 52.86, and is a medal threat in London after placing fourth in the 100 back at the World Championships last summer.

Minnetonka's David Plummer wound up third with a 52.98, while PACE's Ben Hesen faltered down the final 15 meters to place fourth in 53.03. All four times are among the top 10 in the world this year.

Eugene Godsoe (53.61), Ryan Murphy (53.92), Kyle Owens (54.31) and Jack Conger (54.63) comprised the rest of the championship finale, with Murphy dropping his national age group record yet again down from a 54.96 in the 15-16 age division.

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