U.S. International Team Trials: Hunter Armstrong Breaks 50 Back American Record; Justin Ress Just 0.04 Behind

Hunter Armstrong -- Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. International Team Trials: Hunter Armstrong Breaks 50 Back American Record; Justin Ress Just 0.04 Behind

Ohio State’s Hunter Armstrong scorched the second of three heats in the men’s 50 backstroke, and he took down Ryan Murphy’s American record in the event. Armstrong hit the wall in 24.01, taking down the national record of 24.24 that Murphy set in 2018. But that record was almost short-lived as in the very next heat, Mission Viejo’s Justin Ress threw down a time of 24.05, well under Murphy’s old record and just four hundredths behind Armstrong’s time.

Armstrong became the second-fastest swimmer in history in the event behind world-record holder Kliment Kolesnikov (23.80), while Ress is now fourth all-time behind Kolesnikov, Armstrong and Liam Tancock. Both swimmers will attempt to join the 23-second club in the evening final, although only one spot on the World Championships team is available in the 50-meter stroke events. Armstrong has already qualified for the Worlds team after finishing tied for fourth in the 100 freestyle, while Ress will likely be added to the squad after a sixth-place finish in the same event.

Shaine Casas, who took second in the 200 back Wednesday night to earn a spot at Worlds, qualified third in 24.45, while Murphy ended up fourth in 24.63. We’ll see if Murphy has another gear to challenge the morning’s star performers in the final

This speed in the 50-meter race has ramifications for Friday’s 100 backstroke as well. Murphy and Casas were viewed as the favorites to qualify for Worlds in that event, but Armstrong and Ress have set themselves up to be in the mix. Armstrong finished second in the 100 back at last year’s Olympic Trials in a major surprise, but after that upset and the strong swimming he has recorded so far in Greensboro, he will enter that event as a favorite.

Florida’s Adam Chaney (24.78) and Virginia’s Jack Aikins (24.81) also broke 25 in prelims, while Michael Andrew placed seventh in 25.01 to qualify for his third A-final of the day. Andrew is among the contenders in the 100 butterfly and a favorite in the 50 breaststroke, but he is unlikely to be in the mix for a title in this event.

Daniel Carr was the last qualifier for the final at 25.03.

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