Ryan Murphy, David Plummer Lead Tight 100 Back Field; Punch Tickets To Rio

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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Men’s 100 Back FINAL:

The U.S. men have continually thrown down the gauntlet in the 100 back throughout the last month. It began with David Plummer’s 52.40 at the Arena Pro Series stop in Indianapolis—a time that upset then world leader Mitch Larkin’s 52.48. Fast forward to last night’s semi-finals where Cal superstar Ryan Murphy led the first heat of semi-finals to a world best of 52.28.

Plummer, who finished third in the 100 back in 2012 and sixth in 2008, accepted Murphy’s time as a challenge and turned up the heat, battling the world record line and turning in a new world leading time of 52.12.

Cruising right alongside Plummer, however, was Matt Grevers, the reigning Olympic gold medalist. Grevers’ strong and smooth swim of 52.64 moved him to fourth in the world rankings and showed the world that the U.S. will head to the Olympics ready to defend the gold medal.

At the 50 it was Plummer in the lead battling, yet again, the World Record line, but laying in wait was Murphy, ready to turn on the heat. Murphy and Plummer dueled the whole way to the finish to post times a slim .02 seconds apart. Murphy got his hand to the wall first, stopping the clock at a 52.26 over Plummer’s 52.28.

Matt Grevers delivered a valiant fight staying in the mix until the very end. Grevers posted a third-place finish of 52.76, adding just slightly to his semi-finals time of 52.64.

Cal bear Jacob Pebley turned in a fourth place finish of 52.95, just ahead of Michael Taylor’s 54.04.

John Shebat grabbed sixth with a time of 54.20, while Sean Lehane and Jake Taylor tied for seventh with a 54.72.

Photo Courtesy: Omega Timing

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