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NCAA Men’s Championships: Title For Destin Lasco in 200 Backstroke Sparks Major Scoring Haul For Cal
Long before the NCAA Championships opened in Atlanta, there was plenty of debate concerning the latest chapter in the epic rivalry between California and Texas. A primary discussion point was Cal’s power in the 200-yard backstroke, and the potential for that event to shift – or cement – the team-championship race in favor of the Golden Bears.
Indeed, that scenario unfolded.
Led by a victory from Destin Lasco, Cal piled up 53 points in the 200 back and took the lead in the team standings by 28.5 points over Texas. Lasco pulled away from the Longhorns’ Carson Foster over the second half of the race to win in 1:37.71, with Foster a little more than a second back in 1:38.77. Cal also received big-time scoring from third-place finisher Daniel Carr and the Mefford brothers, Bryce and Colby, who were seventh and 12th, respectively.
A year ago, Lasco just missed claiming the 200 backstroke crown as a freshman, as he was overhauled down the stretch by Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas. This time around, Lasco was the athlete doing the stalking, as he erased an early advantage by Foster. The Golden Bears’ excellence in the 200 backstroke came in response to Texas accumulating 15 points in the 1650 freestyle, and put the momentum firmly on the side of Cal. The Bears set the tone for their scoring haul during prelims, where Lasco led a 1-3-5-13 showing to ensure a sizable scoring take. Having totaled 33.5 points in the 100 backstroke on Day Three, the Bears left the meet with 86.5 points from backstroke competition.
“It’s so hard to describe in words,” Lasco said of the backstroke talent that he sees every day. “The only way I can describe it is it’s just a blessing just to be surrounded by guys who are older than me, who I aspire to be like. They showed me so many ways to get faster. Daniel Carr, Bryce Mefford, Ryan Murphy. They help me so much in the pool and set me up for life outside the pool, and I’m so appreciative of that.”
Lasco was a pacesetter for the Bears throughout the meet, thanks to a runnerup finish in the 200 individual medley and a fourth-place effort in the 100 backstroke. He also contributed significantly in relay duty, including handling the leadoff leg of the victorious 400 medley relay.
With Casas and Lasco threatening Murphy’s American record (1:35.73) in the 200 backstroke at the 2021 edition of the NCAA Champs, there was some thought that Lasco would give the standard another scare. Ultimately, Lasco was off the pace, but the youngster took time to pay respect to Murphy, a Cal product who continues to train under Golden Bears coach Dave Durden. Murphy has been an inspiration and role model for Lasco, whose humility and appreciation for Murphy’s guidance shined through during his post-race interviews.
“Destin is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever trained with,” said Murphy, a multi-time Olympic champion. “With that being said, he has a ton of internal confidence. He shows up with a consistent attitude every day, is always seeking improvement, and constantly competing. I’m very proud of him.”
Midway through his collegiate career, the next question facing Lasco will be whether he can transfer his short-course talent to the long-course pool, and make a mark on the international scene. An opportunity awaits Lasco next month, when USA Swimming will hold qualifying for this summer’s World Championships in Budapest. Lasco’s best chance to wear Team USA gear is likely the 200 backstroke, an event in which he placed fifth at last summer’s Olympic Trials.
If nothing else, Lasco will carry momentum into his next competition.
“This meet was just about getting the job done,” he said. “Last year, coming in second, I thought about that day, and it fueled me every day to train hard. I dreamed about it…We turned it into reality, and I’m so thankful for our seniors and fifth-years because they sacrificed one year to go through academics at UC-Berkeley, and they went through hard practices, and that was my motivation to get my hand on the wall first.”
Event 16 Men 200 Yard Backstroke
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NCAA: N 1:35.73 3/26/2016 Ryan Murphy, California
Meet: M 1:35.73 3/26/2016 Ryan Murphy, California
American: A 1:35.73 3/26/2016 Ryan Murphy, California
U. S. Open: O 1:35.73 3/26/2016 Ryan Murphy, California
Pool: P 1:35.73 3/26/2016 Ryan Murphy, California
Name Year School Prelims Finals Points
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=== Championship Final ===
1 Lasco, Destin SO California 1:37.80 1:37.71 20
r:+0.66 23.16 48.06 (24.90)
1:12.81 (24.75) 1:37.71 (24.90)
2 Foster, Carson SO Texas 1:38.00 1:38.77 17
r:+0.60 22.87 47.50 (24.63)
1:12.89 (25.39) 1:38.77 (25.88)
3 Carr, Daniel 5Y California 1:38.28 1:39.06 16
r:+0.70 23.57 48.75 (25.18)
1:14.17 (25.42) 1:39.06 (24.89)
4 Smith, Kieran SR Florida 1:38.99 1:39.39 15
r:+0.67 23.62 48.43 (24.81)
1:13.84 (25.41) 1:39.39 (25.55)
5 MacAlister, Leon JR Stanford 1:38.95 1:39.67 14
r:+0.55 23.37 48.65 (25.28)
1:14.12 (25.47) 1:39.67 (25.55)
6 Dahlgren, Jack SR Missouri 1:38.85 1:40.17 13
r:+0.75 23.38 48.49 (25.11)
1:14.06 (25.57) 1:40.17 (26.11)
7 Mefford, Bryce 5Y California 1:38.94 1:40.31 12
r:+0.65 23.55 48.77 (25.22)
1:14.16 (25.39) 1:40.31 (26.15)
8 Grender, Justin SR Virginia 1:39.49 1:40.72 11
r:+0.64 23.33 48.68 (25.35)
1:14.70 (26.02) 1:40.72 (26.02)
=== Consolation Final ===
9 Aikins, Jack FR Virginia 1:40.17 1:39.26 9
r:+0.58 23.14 47.93 (24.79)
1:13.47 (25.54) 1:39.26 (25.79)
10 Stokowski, Kacper JR NCSU 1:39.99 1:39.27 7
r:+0.70 22.63 48.07 (25.44)
1:14.06 (25.99) 1:39.27 (25.21)
11 Tapp, Hunter JR NCSU 1:39.59 1:39.30 6
r:+0.72 23.54 48.90 (25.36)
1:14.32 (25.42) 1:39.30 (24.98)
12 Mefford, Colby JR California 1:40.00 1:39.66 5
r:+0.66 23.70 49.08 (25.38)
1:14.17 (25.09) 1:39.66 (25.49)
13 Tornqvist, Samuel 5Y VT 1:39.93 1:39.70 4
r:+0.59 23.14 48.20 (25.06)
1:13.80 (25.60) 1:39.70 (25.90)
14 Menke, Matthew JR Alabama 1:40.19 1:40.02 3
r:+0.66 23.21 48.79 (25.58)
1:14.37 (25.58) 1:40.02 (25.65)
15 Marcum, Jake JR Alabama 1:40.37 1:40.66 2
r:+0.67 24.07 49.37 (25.30)
1:15.08 (25.71) 1:40.66 (25.58)
16 Steele, Jacob 5Y Indiana 1:39.98 1:41.11 1
r:+0.69 23.60 49.22 (25.62)
1:15.25 (26.03) 1:41.11 (25.86)
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