{"id":476749,"date":"2021-06-14T18:31:01","date_gmt":"2021-06-15T01:31:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=476749"},"modified":"2021-06-14T21:44:32","modified_gmt":"2021-06-15T04:44:32","slug":"u-s-olympic-trials-ryan-murphy-hunter-armstrong-lead-stunning-mens-100-backstroke-semifinals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/u-s-olympic-trials-ryan-murphy-hunter-armstrong-lead-stunning-mens-100-backstroke-semifinals\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Olympic Trials: Ryan Murphy, Hunter Armstrong Lead Stunning Men’s 100 Backstroke Semifinals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The men’s 100 backstroke semifinals at the Olympic trials put together some of the top swimmers in different levels of experience with veteran Olympians, college stars and even five teenagers \u2014 spanning age 17-36.<\/p>\n

Defending Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy<\/strong> took the top seed to no surprise at 52.22. But in the second heat, it was Hunter Armstrong<\/strong> that turned a few heads by passing multiple swimmers down the stretch to get his hand on the wall first.<\/p>\n

“It was nice. Honestly, I think I\u2019m usually pretty good at remembering races. I honestly don\u2019t remember too much about that one,” Murphy said. “That was surprising, honestly, so I\u2019m excited for this next one tomorrow night.”<\/p>\n

Ryan Murphy<\/strong><\/a> pulled away from the field late in the first semifinal race to finish in 52.22. Justin Ress<\/strong> was second in the heat at 52.86, followed by Matt Grevers<\/strong> (53.18).<\/p>\n

Hunter Armstrong<\/strong> surged late to win the second semifinal in 52.67, followed by Shaine Casas<\/strong>, who finished in 52.67 after taking the early lead. Armstrong used a long stretch in the final stroke to earn the top spot in the heat.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s so nice. It\u2019s unbelievable. I didn\u2019t expect it,” Armstrong said. “I\u2019ve always struggled with takeout speed, and the guys next to me, that\u2019s their strong suit. I trusted my coaches and trusted God. I was able to take it out with them and bring it back with everything I have. It\u2019s an honor. I\u2019ve really looked up to Ryan Murphy and Shaine Casas. They\u2019re amazing athletes, and I\u2019m really proud to be able to compete with them on an elite level.”<\/p>\n

“This was a good build. I went out a little faster and I was just focused on racing,” Casas said.<\/p>\n

Grevers was the oldest in the field at age 36<\/a>, 11 years older than Murphy, the next-oldest competitor.<\/p>\n

Nick Simons<\/strong> was the youngest at age 17.<\/p>\n