Junya Koga clocked a 53.63 100-meter back time in prelims at USA Nationals to secure the top spot heading into tonight’s championship final. Koga is riding on a wave of moment after breaking the US Open Record in the 50-meter back in a time trial yesterday. His 24.36 yesterday broke his own mark of 24.50. In today’s race, Koga splashed to a 25.81 start and punctuated the race with a 27.82 second half.
Nick Thoman, the top seed entering the meet, posted a 54.03 to take second place. Thoman split a 26.87/27.16, and will need a faster first 50 to keep pace with Koga at finals. Luke Kaliszak swam a 54.32 to claim third. Arkady Vyatchanin touched right behind Kaliszak with a 54.32. Vyatchanin and Kaliszak both swam 26.51 on the first half of the race.
Kyle Darmody (54.43), Jacob Pebley (54.58), Jack Blyzinsky (54.58), and Taylor Dale (54.69) also qualified for the championship final heat.
Landing a second swim in the B final are Eugene Godsoe (54.72), Christopher Reid (54.99), Nic Graesser (55.01), Joe Patching (55.13), Jake Taylor (55.28), Michael Andrew (55.34), Henrique Machado (55.40), and Austin Quinn (55.45).
2015 USA Swimming Long Course Summer Nationals: Live Results – Results
