In the morning heats of the 100 backstroke, Ryan Murphy of the Bolles School in Florida broke the USA Swimming 15-16 National Age Group Record in 55.43. In the C-final, Jack Conger of Rockville Montgomery Swim Club swam a 55.02 to steal that record from Murphy.
Murphy would have one more chance to take that record back in the B-final a few minutes later, but fell a bit short, which means that it is Conger who will walk away from the meet as the defending National Age Group Record holder in 55.02. Coming into the meet, Murphy was the holder of the record with a 55.56 that was set in March of this year.
In a bit of “completing the circle” moment, Texas sophomore Patrick Murphy was the holder of that NAG Record from 2008 at 55.61 at the beginning of this season, and that record has now been broken three times this year.
(Ryan) Murphy, who is much younger than Conger, will still have plenty of chances to take this record back, and that could very well happen at winter Nationals this year, which are being held in long course meters (they’re usually short course yards) to give swimmers another chance at Olympic Trials cuts.
For those looking for the next great young backstroker coming through the American ranks, look no further than the B-and-C finals of this race.
although close to a year apart, they are the same grade…should be interesting to see how the recruiting goes down…
You should clarify which Murphy you’re talking about in the last paragraph. Going from talking about Patty to Ryan is a bit confusing, thanks.
But..Murphy is almost a full year younger than Conger so he will have several chance to break it this coming year with all the LC meets coming up,