Olympic Trials Day 2 Prelims: Hunter Armstrong Takes Top Seed Ahead of Ryan Murphy

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Olympic Trials Day 2 Prelims: Hunter Armstrong Takes Top Seed Ahead of Ryan Murphy

As the flags lowered on the pool at Lucas Oil Stadium, the long-standing Olympic history of American excellence started to take shape in Indianapolis this morning with veteran, Ryan Murphy making his first appearance in the water for the meet.

The circle seeded heats saw a tight competition field, with each heat battling it out for a coveted spot in tonight’s semifinal.

Hunter Armstrong took the top contention spot from the second-to-last heat with a qualifying time of 52.95 – the only man to bread the 53-second mark and the fastest opening split of 25.48 at the 50-meter mark. Armstrong is the current world record holder in the 50-meter backstroke. He is well versed in international competition having had qualified for 2022 World Aquatics Championships as well as the 2020 Olympic Games.

He is followed closely by the second seed, two time Olympian and four-time Olympic medalist, Ryan Murphy, with a time of 53:18. Murphy certainly has upheld the American backstroke legacy throughout his career, and with complete control of his heat this morning, he will aim to put on a show tonight. He is the current American record holder at 51.85, set in 2016. To note, Italian swimmer, Thomas Ceccon currently holds the World record at 51.60 from 2022.

The men this morning had a fast showing as all qualifiers for the A flight of semifinals had to be under the 54-second mark to qualify for the Top 8. Jack Aikins qualified third with a time of 53.24. Adam Chaney is going into semi-finals with a time of 53.45, qualifying from the third-to-last heat. He was followed by Will Modglin with a time of 53.59, Jack Wilkening with a time of 53.89.

Notably, Justin Ress, a three-time NCAA champion World Championship will be seeded seventh with a time of 53.91. Shaine Casas, who had the fastest reaction time of the morning, will round out the top eight with a time of 53.97.

Tommy Janton of Notre Dame will lead the second wave in the semifinals tonight with a ninth seeded time of 54.03. Nate Stoffle follows with a time of 54.03, only a slight add from his seed time of 54.00.

Four-time NCAA champion, seven-time PAC-12 champion and national team member, Destin Lasco, will be ranked 10th with a time of 54.23. He added to his seat time of 52.93 this morning but has some room to improve his time later today.

Former NCAA champion, Jacob Molacek will come into tonight with a seed time of 54.32 and will be ranked twelfth. In the 13th spot is outside smoke Tanner Filion with a time of 54.40. Grant Bochenski made his statement this morning by qualifying for the 14th spot with a time of 54.48 from outside the circle seeded heats.

Hunter Tapp will be seeded 15th with a time of 54.52 and Jack Dolan will round out the Top 16 with a time of 54.59.

To add to the excitement, there was a swim off required for the alternate spot between David King and Aiden Stoffle, both with times of 54.67. King won the swim-off in 55.03, ahead of Stoffle (55.13).

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