{"id":587766,"date":"2024-06-16T11:29:26","date_gmt":"2024-06-16T18:29:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=587766"},"modified":"2024-06-16T11:31:29","modified_gmt":"2024-06-16T18:31:29","slug":"olympic-trials-day-2-prelims-hunter-armstrong-takes-top-seed-ahead-of-ryan-murphy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/olympic-trials-day-2-prelims-hunter-armstrong-takes-top-seed-ahead-of-ryan-murphy\/","title":{"rendered":"Olympic Trials Day 2 Prelims: Hunter Armstrong Takes Top Seed Ahead of Ryan Murphy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Olympic Trials Day 2 Prelims: Hunter Armstrong Takes Top Seed Ahead of Ryan Murphy<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As the flags lowered on the pool at Lucas Oil Stadium, the long-standing Olympic history of American excellence started to take shape in Indianapolis this morning with veteran, Ryan Murphy<\/strong> making his first appearance in the water for the meet.<\/p>\n

The circle seeded heats saw a tight competition field, with each heat battling it out for a coveted spot in tonight\u2019s semifinal.<\/p>\n

Hunter Armstrong<\/strong> took the top contention spot from the second-to-last heat with a qualifying time of 52.95 \u2013 the only man to bread the 53-second mark and the fastest opening split of 25.48 at the 50-meter mark. Armstrong is the current world record holder in the 50-meter backstroke. He is well versed in international competition having had qualified for 2022 World Aquatics Championships as well as the 2020 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n

He is followed closely by the second seed, two time Olympian and four-time Olympic medalist, Ryan Murphy<\/strong>, with a time of 53:18. Murphy certainly has upheld the American backstroke legacy throughout his career, and with complete control of his heat this morning, he will aim to put on a show tonight. He is the current American record holder at 51.85, set in 2016. To note, Italian swimmer, Thomas Ceccon<\/strong> currently holds the World record at 51.60 from 2022.<\/p>\n

The men this morning had a fast showing as all qualifiers for the A flight of semifinals had to be under the 54-second mark to qualify for the Top 8. Jack Aikins<\/strong> qualified third with a time of 53.24. Adam Chaney<\/strong> is going into semi-finals with a time of 53.45, qualifying from the third-to-last heat. He was followed by Will Modglin<\/strong> with a time of 53.59, Jack Wilkening<\/strong> with a time of 53.89.<\/p>\n

Notably, Justin Ress,<\/strong> a three-time NCAA champion World Championship will be seeded seventh with a time of 53.91. Shaine Casas,<\/strong> who had the fastest reaction time of the morning, will round out the top eight with a time of 53.97.<\/p>\n

Tommy Janton<\/strong> of Notre Dame will lead the second wave in the semifinals tonight with a ninth seeded time of 54.03. Nate Stoffle<\/strong> follows with a time of 54.03, only a slight add from his seed time of 54.00.<\/p>\n

Four-time NCAA champion, seven-time PAC-12 champion and national team member, Destin Lasco<\/strong>, will be ranked 10th with a time of 54.23. He added to his seat time of 52.93 this morning but has some room to improve his time later today.<\/p>\n

Former NCAA champion, Jacob Molacek<\/strong> will come into tonight with a seed time of 54.32 and will be ranked twelfth. In the 13th spot is outside smoke Tanner Filion<\/strong> with a time of 54.40. Grant Bochenski<\/strong> made his statement this morning by qualifying for the 14th spot with a time of 54.48 from outside the circle seeded heats.<\/p>\n

Hunter Tapp<\/strong> will be seeded 15th with a time of 54.52 and Jack Dolan<\/strong> will round out the Top 16 with a time of 54.59.<\/p>\n

To add to the excitement, there was a swim off required for the alternate spot between David King<\/strong> and Aiden Stoffle<\/strong>, both with times of 54.67. King won the swim-off in 55.03, ahead of Stoffle (55.13).<\/p>\n