Brendan Burns Rockets To #3 All-Time In 100 Back With Upset NCAA Title In 43.61

2023 NCAA DIVISION I MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• March 22-25, 2023
• Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center | Minneapolis, MN
• SCY (25 yards)
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Brendan Burns pulled off a stunning victory Friday night in the men’s 100 backstroke, earning the second national title of his career with one of the fastest swims in history.

Approximately 45 minutes after winning the 100 fly ‘B’ final, Burns was back in the water facing a rested field in the 100 back, and was not among the pre-race favorites. Top qualifier Destin Lasco, defending champion Kacper Stokowski and top seed coming in Adam Chaney were the swimmers everyone had their eyes on in the race for the title, but it was Burns who emerged victorious.

The Indiana senior sat fourth at the 50 in 21.26, but executed a scorching back half, including an unbelievable final turn, to pull ahead and touch in 43.61, ranking him third all-time in the event while recording the fourth-fastest swim ever.

Only Luca Urlando, who set the all-time record of 43.35 leading off Georgia’s 400 medley relay last year, and four-time NCAA champion in the 100 back, Ryan Murphy, have been faster.

All-Time Performances, Men’s 100 Backstroke (SCY)

1. Luca Urlando (Georgia), 43.35 – 2022 NCAA Championships
2. Ryan Murphy (Cal), 43.49 – 2016 NCAA Championships
3. Ryan Murphy (Cal), 43.51 – 2016 NCAA Championships
4. Brendan Burns (Indiana), 43.61 – 2023 NCAA Championships
5. Coleman Stewart (NC State), 43.62 – 2020 UNC Invite

Split Comparison

Burns knocked more than a half-second off his previous best time of 44.15, set at last year’s NCAAs when he placed second to Stokowski.

Burns Split Comparison

Stokowski (43.86) and Cal’s Destin Lasco (43.94) also broke 44 seconds in tonight’s final, with Stokowski cracking 44 for the first time and Lasco falling .01 shy of his preliminary PB.

All-Time Performers, Men’s 100 Backstroke (SCY)

1. Luca Urlando (Georgia), 43.35 – 2022 NCAA Championships
2. Ryan Murphy (Cal), 43.49 – 2016 NCAA Championships
3. Brendan Burns (Indiana), 43.61 – 2023 NCAA Championships
4. Coleman Stewart (UN), 43.62 – 2020 UNC Invite
5. Dean Farris (Harvard), 43.66 – 2019 NCAA Championships
6. Kacper Stokowski (NC State), 43.86 – 2023 NCAA Championships
7. Shaine Casas (Texas A&M), 43.87 – 2020 Art Adamson Invitational
8. Destin Lasco (Cal), 43.93 – 2023 NCAA Championships
9. Nick Thoman (UN), 44.07 – 2013 Winter Nationals
10. Zane Waddell (Alabama), 44.10 – 2020 SEC Championships

The victory marks Burns’ second NCAA title, having won the 200 fly last season.

RACE VIDEO