Editorial content for the NCAA Division I Championships is sponsored by Nike Swim.
Commentary by Jeff Commings
TUCSON – Ryan Murphy will be going for the unprecedented double in the backstroke events at the men’s NCAA Division I championships, and the sophomore will likely view everyone in the final of the 100 and 200 backstrokes as a worthy competitor, and a likely challenger to his crown.
Here’s a look at four who have an outside chance to make the top eight in one or both backstroke events.
Grigory Tarasevich
Photo Courtesy: Mike Comer and Shanda Crowe/ProSwimVisuals.com
Though he’s ranked 15th in the 100 back and 12th in the 200 back, I’m picking Tarasevich as strong possibility to get into the top eight. His best opportunity lies in the 200 back, and he’ll be looking for redemption after placing 18th in last year’s championships. The Louisville sophomore has made some big strides this season, and if he can get under 1:40 in prelims, he will be in the top eight. The 100 backstroke remains too much of a sprint for the tall and wiry Russian, but a great race in prelims could get him in the top eight there as well.
Patrick Conaton
Photo Courtesy: StanfordPhoto.com
Conaton qualified for the NCAA championship in the 200 back with a 1:40.48 in a time trial at the Pac 12 championships. The fact that he got under 1:41 again in the 200 back prelims at that meet shows his time trial wasn’t a fluke. But the Stanford freshman will need to be a bit faster to get into the top eight, and will likely do it.
Joe Patching
Photo Courtesy: Ashley Ward/Auburn Athletics
Patching has been a strong but deadly performer for Auburn this season, and has been a great leader in and out of the pool. Many expected him to make the championship final of the 200 back last year at the NCAA championships, but he was only able to finish 11th overall. The sting of not making the A final last year has likely been the driving force for Patching all season, and that could translate to a spot in the championship final. Patching is seeded seventh in a very tight field of 11 swimmers in the 1:40 range. As I mentioned with Conaton, a 1:39 or better is what it will take to get into the final. Patching has strong underwater kicks and should use those to his advantage near the end of the race when others are going into oxygen debt.
Nate Savoy
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Last year, Shane Ryan nearly won the 100 backstroke while Penn State teammate Nate Savoy was 10th in the consolation final. What a coup for the Nittany Lions if they can get two swimmers in the 100 back final, and send a message that Tim Murphy is continuing to move the program forward in his second season in University Park. Savoy is seeded 13th in the 100 back with a 46.02, just outside a bunch of swimmers in the 45 range. The senior swam a lifetime best 45.61 at last year’s Big Ten meet, and will need to be a few ticks faster than that to assure himself a place in the final alongside his teammate.
GO Ryan!!
Go Nate!
Go TIM!!!!
Nate Savoy
Andrew Russel
Go Nate and Shane!!!! Both on the platform at NCAAs!!!
Go Nate!!
swim fast Nate!!