MEN’S 100 Backstroke – 2014 Austin Grand Prix – reported by Jared Anderson / SwimSwam
A powerhouse 100 backstroke field did not disappoint, putting together a race that was up in the air until the very finish. Ultimately, though, Matt Grevers won, which maybe shouldn’t have been a surprise – he’s been the world’s best backstroker for several years now.
Grevers went 53.72 representing Tuscon Ford Aquatics of Arizona. That was enough to beat former Russian Olympian Arkady Vyatchanin, who made a big closing push to go 53.88 for second. Cal freshman Ryan Murphy was just a tick behind that, going 53.98 for third.
SwimMAC’s Nick Thoman settled for fourth (54.09) in a murderer’s row of a lineup. Behind him were Murphy’s teammate Jacob Pebley (54.53), Stanford pro Eugene Godsoe (54.66) and German nationals Christian Diener (55.68) and Felix Wolf (56.34).
Craig McNally of Scotland won the B final with a nice swim of 55.55. In that same heat, Michael Andrew was not able to break his second NAG record in a row, although he still went 57.41 for 11th place. That’s just .03 off of the NAG record he set this morning.
my money is on murphy
He’s still the favorite for 2015 and 2016. At least for the moment.
I expect Conger/Murphy to close the gap by then, Murphy was 53.3 at trials last year, give him a year and a half and he will be close to Grevers
I talked about world and olympic gold medals. And Grevers has proved in Barcelona that, even not at his best, he was the strongest mentally when it counts.
He can swim 52 low so Murphy and Conger have much work to do. But yes, you’re right, both swimmers will close the gap and perhaps beat him. That’s why I wrote “for the moment”.
Anyway, the US backstrokers will have first to qualify.
And good luck to them!
Grevers
Thoman
Murphy
Conger
Teduits
Pebley
Ryan
Plummer
Godsoe
It’s absolutely crazy!
All have the potential to swim at least 53 low in 2 and 3 years.
And… Read more »
I meant “in 1 and 2 years”.
I think people overestimate Conger. His 200 bk is great, but he’s only been about 54.0 in the 100. In college, the 100 bk looks like one of his weaker events. I’d think he has a better chance in the 200 free.