2017 MEN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, March 22 – Saturday, March 25
- IUPUI Natatorium – Indianapolis, IN
- Prelims 10AM/Finals 6PM (Eastern Time)
- Defending Champion: Texas (results)
- Championship Central
- Psych Sheet
- Live stream: Wednesday/Thursday Prelims & Finals, Friday/Saturday Prelims / Friday/Saturday finals on ESPN3
- Live Results
200 BACKSTROKE
- NCAA record: Ryan Murphy (Cal), 2016- 1:35.73
- American record: Ryan Murphy (Cal), 2016- 1:35.73
- U.S. Open record: Ryan Murphy (Cal), 2016- 1:35.73
- 2016 NCAA Champion: Ryan Murphy (Cal)- 1:35.73
Cal’s Ryan Murphy will chase his own NCAA and American Record in the 200 back after dominating the field with a 1:35.73 last season. Now a 2-time Olympic backstroke champion, Murphy will be swimming in his last ever NCAA Meet, and this could be the last time we see him focus on yards. If successful in defending his backstroke titles, Murphy will have 4-peated in both.
Behind him, the field tightens up, and it should be a good battle for the runner-up spot. Russian Olympian Grigory Tarasevich (Louisville) and South African Olympian Christopher Reid (Alabama) are among the stars in the field. Tarasevich goes into the meet as the 2nd seed with a personal best 1:39.05 from the ACC Championships.
U.S. Olympic Trials finalists Hennessey Stuart (NC State) and Robert Owen (Virginia Tech) are also among the big names in this race, as is Trials semifinalist Justin Ress (NC State). Aside from Murphy, Stuart is the only swimmer in the field to have broken 1:39 before. Last season, he placed 3rd in a personal best 1:38.54.
Returning All-Americans Patrick Mulcare (USC) and Connor Oslin (Alabama) will battle for a second consecutive All-American finish. Mulcare and Arizona State’s Richard Bohus broke 1:40 at this season’s Pac-12 Championships. Texas’ John Shebat, Missouri’s Carter Griffin, and Georgia’s Jay Litherland will look to move up into the top 8 after scoring in last season’s B final. Shebat and teammate Jonathan Roberts could give Texas 2 men in the final, as they’ve each been 1:39 already this season.
Denver’s Anton Loncar and Auburn’s Joe Patching could make big moves in this race. Patching nearly broke 1:40 last season, clocking a 1:40.16 to win at the SEC Championships. Loncar has been making steady drops in this event, and enters with a personal best 1:40.33 from this season’s Texas Invite.
TOP 8 PREDICTIONS:
| Place | Swimmer | Team | Season Best | Lifetime Best |
| 1 | Ryan Murphy | Cal | 1:38.07 | 1:35.73 |
| 2 | Hennessey Stuart | NC State | 1:39.47 | 1:38.56 |
| 3 | Grigory Tarasevich | Louisville | 1:39.05 | 1:39.05 |
| 4 | Christopher Reid | Alabama | 1:39.64 | 1:39.64 |
| 5 | Jonathan Roberts | Texas | 1:39.87 | 1:39.87 |
| 6 | Connor Oslin | Alabama | 1:40.35 | 1:39.85 |
| 7 | John Shebat | Texas | 1:39.74 | 1:39.74 |
| 8 | Patrick Mulcare | USC | 1:39.37 | 1:39.37 |
Why do the Live Results say “women”?
Barb – you’re probably seeing a cached version from when you looked at women’s last week. If you hit Ctrl + Shift + R a few times with it open (on a PC), you should get the new version.
“If successful in defending his backstroke titles, Murphy will have 4-peated in both”– Has this feat been achieved by any athlete (male or female) in any stroke? We know who will be next, don’t we?
Kara Lynn Joyce 50 and 100 Free
If I recall, Natalie Coughlin went 11/12 during her 4 years. I think she got second in her Senior year for her only loss too (can’t remember which event it was, maybe 200 Back?)
Sue Walsh from UNC won 11/12 As well
Murphy could probably win with a time from practice during heavy training and the field is strong. Wild
Right. He’s King without any usurpers in sight. One of the reasons the Olympics was so much more fun to watch. There was more competition with the closer field.
Hopefully Lilly King will watch his post-race interview where he does NOT say he didn’t have anyone to race.
The NCAA is so fast… it’ll take 1:39 to make the A final again, the 200 IM could take a 1:41, there are now multiple guys who have been sub 45 in the 100 back, and splitting 19.0 is enough to “throw away” a relay. 100 fly is also really fast this year with Schooling, Dressel, Conger, Josa, and Sansoucie all at 44 or better (did I forget someone?)
Matt McHugh. And Vini Lanza’s on his way.
Too bad Dean Farris isn’t swimming either of those events, because I’d love to see the wild predictions.
DEAN FARRIS!
Dark Horse: Dean Farris with a 1:37+
No chance
1:39 possibility
IMHO Dean Farris swimming the 200 Back instead of the 100 Free is the most intriguing entry of the meet.
Dean Farris is becoming the Steve Holt of these boards. (For Arrested Development fans.)
STEVE HOLT!!!
Traveling at the speed of light?