Will Hamilton Unseats Ryan Murphy As “King of the Pool”

Photo by Peter H. Bick

SAN LUIS OBISPO, California, September 19. FIGHTING off star sophomore Ryan Murphy throughout the day, NCAA champion Will Hamilton won his first “King of the Pool” title to start his final collegiate swimming season.

Hamilton, who surprised many to win the 200 fly NCAA title in 2012 as a freshman, looks like he’s getting back on track based on today’s competition at the California Polytechnic State University pool. The meet, a tradition for Cal and Cal Poly for the past five years, features each swimmer racing 100 yards of each stroke plus a 100 IM. The swimmer with the fastest total time is declared “King of the Pool.” Marcin Tarczynski was “King of the Pool” for the first three years before Murphy took over the crown.

Hamilton took the lead early in his best stroke, winning the 100 fly with a 48.35 to the 48.56 by fellow senior Seth Stubblefield and Murphy’s 49.13. Murphy rallied in the 100 back, one of the events he won at the NCAA championships last March, with a 47.50. Fellow backstroke ace Jacob Pebley was second with a 48.77 while Hamilton stayed in striking distance with a 49.28.

Murphy led the race after backstroke with a total time of 1:36.63 to Hamilton’s 1:37.63. Hamilton added more cushion with a 55.45 in the 100 breast for third place ahead of Chuck Katis (54.04) and Josh Prenot (55.05). Murphy’s 58.15 put him third overall, with Prenot moving into second.

Murphy bounced back in the 100 free with a 44.20, but Hamilton’s 45.02 pretty much clinched the victory for him heading into the 100 IM. Second behind Murphy in the 100 free was Tyler Messerschmidt with a 44.58, while Long Gutierrez took third with a 45.00.

Don't ever talk to the guy in the midst of a perfect game… pic.twitter.com/PXe7K7hivY

— Cal Men's Swimming (@calmenswim) September 19, 2014

If Murphy were to repeat as “King of the Pool,” he would need to beat Hamilton by nine tenths in the 100 IM. Hamilton didn’t let that happen, winning with a 49.15 to Murphy’s 49.64. Prenot took third in the IM with a 49.70.

Final top 10:

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Mickey Mackle and Brandon Nguyen tied for 18th overall as the fastest swimmers in the event from Cal Poly with matching total times of 4:25.51.

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