Swimming News / Swimming Video courtesy of Shanda Crowe
MEN’S 100 Backstroke – 2014 Bulldog Grand Slam – Reported by SwimSwam
It’s been a banner weekend for Michael Phelps, who is gaining tremendous steam in his career comeback as of late. He followed up a great 100 fly on Friday night with a 53.88 in the 100 back to win tonight. That time ranks him just outside the top 10 in the world this year, and topped fellow swimming icon Ryan Lochte, who was 54.40 as he returns from a knee injury that has sidelined him for the better part of a year now.
Behind those two was Tyler Clary, 55.41 coming off his second-place 200 fly effort. He bridged the gap between Phelps/Lochte and the rest of the field.
Crews Wellford went 56.53 for fourth, just ahead of Jacob Kelsoe‘s 56.85. 15-year-old Michael Taylor went 57.08 for Dynamo, with Bolles School’s Dakota Mahaffey seventh in 57.71.
Maybe most notable in this race was Olympic silver medalist Nick Thoman, who had a rough prelims (57.42), but is listed at 1:15.83 in the final. It appears Thoman went for the first 50 split, crusing the second half of the race. He did go out in 25.3, which would be the second-fastest American time in the 50 back so far this year (David Plummer has been 25.2).
What happened to thoman in lane 7? He stopped at the 50
Swimmer – he was racing for a 50 meter time.
thanks Mel Stewart for this video.
final day of racing in Athens & there’s no updates on this morning’s prelims? 🙁
As I said Phelps is on fire! He put it too the rest of the field. Lochte had agood swim too given everything he has been through in the last months. That was a pleasure to watch
Excellent race ! happy to see Lochte having a very decent come back ; M Phelps is really on a perfect imptoving roll . Exciting for Nationals . Jaeger has been incredible too this week-end .
Amazing first 100bk coming out of retirement! Can’t wait to see the 100 free tonight
I’ve recognized Mr Sergio Lopez in the bottom left of the picture. 🙂
And again, thanks for the video!
Lochte was better on the underwaters. Very decent time for him after his knee problem.
MP looks smooth, easy and strong. He can improve his underwaters and his finish. Was he a little tired at the end or did he coast (I learned a new verb) as Justin Thompson said above? 🙂 Great race overall.