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
- Event Previews
- Live Results
- Thursday Morning Heat Sheet
Sophomore John Shebat just became the Texas Longhorns’ fastest 100 yard backstroker in history by way of his scorching lead-off on his squad’s 400 medley relay this morning in Indianapolis. In a prelims field void of Cal’s Ryan Murphy, Shebat scored the only sub-45-second split of the entire morning field – 44.82 – to establish Texas as the 2nd seed headed into tonight’s finals, sitting only behind Mizzou’s mark of 3:02.53.
Heading into the 2017 NCAA Championships, Shebat’s personal record stood at the 45.36 he earned at this same meet last year, leading off the same relay in finals that would go on to win the event title in 3:00.68. Already this morning, however, Shebat laid waste to that previous career mark by dipping under the 45-second threshold for the first time in his young career, registering a lead-off time of 44.82. That mark surpasses the previous Texas school record and oldest mark on the books, the 44.92 held by Neil Walker since 1997. With his outing this morning Shebat also now checks-in as the 9th fastest performer of all-time in the event.
Splits for Shebat’s 44.82 – 21.31/23.51
Men’s 100 SCY Backstroke All-Time Performers (per USA Swimming, as of 01/18/17)
- 43.49 Ryan Murphy USA Atlanta 03/25/2016
- 44.07 Nick Thoman USA Knoxville 12/05/2013
- 44.49 Matt Grevers USA Knoxville 12/05/2013
- 44.60 r Ryan Lochte USA 03/23/2006
- 44.72 Ben Hesen USA 03/27/2008
- 44.75 Eugene Godsoe Oklahoma 12/13/2012
- 44.78 Shane Ryan IRL Austin 03/27/2014 (T)
- 44.78 David Nolan USA Iowa City 03/27/2015 (T)
- 44.82 John Shebat USA Indianapolis 03/23/17
- 44.83 Albert Subirats VEN 03/15/2007
Shebat is slated to swim the individual 100 and 200 backstroke events later in the meet after having scratched the individual 50 freestyle this morning.
How far ahead of the curve was Neil Walker?! Simply amazing.
RIP Neil Walker’s record. Dude was an absolute beast at SCY and was also a great relay contributor to team USA for years. Great job by Shebat breaking through.
Wow — 20 yrs ago and going :44. Walker was way ahead of his time.
He was still playing HS football when he was a HS sophomore. Very talented athlete who should continue to improve.
He’s not too far off of Murphy’s time from freshman year(44.63). Can he close in on Murphy’s sophomore year time (44.21) in the individual???
Although Shebat is powerfully built, like Murphy, he is much shorter. Nevertheless, it is fun to witness his great progress.
Texas backstroke will be even better next year with Harty back and freshmen (this year) Varozza and Artmann improving.
Texas needs to stop ruining my picks
Or maybe you should pick them more often
Crazy part is that he is just scratching the surface of how fast he can be. Only started taking swimming seriously his junior year of high school. I’m surprised he didn’t swim 2 IM today, but Eddie knows waaaaay more than I do so I trust him on that one.
He was a very serious age group swimmer though from probably 7-12
… and then you realize how unbelievable fast Murphy’s record is.
Shane Ryan went 44.6 this year
Thanks! I updated post to read how USA Swimming’s record list is as of 01/18/17 as a condition.
Connor Oslin has been faster this year too. I think they’re the only two not on the list though.