By Grant Anger, Swimming World College Intern.
Only four men in history of swimming have won NCAA Division I titles in the 100 and 200 of their stroke four years in a row. This is one of the rarest accomplishments in the sport of swimming. To put this into the context of other sports, this feat is comparable to legendary Peyton Manning, Brett Farve and Drew Brees being the only quarterbacks to have thrown more than 70,000 yards or baseball claiming only five men to have ever broken 3,500 hits.
For swimming, these legends are Pablo Morales, Brenden Hansen, John Naber and Ryan Murphy. Not even the famed Mark Spitz makes this exclusive club. At the time, these four were the most dominant men not just in collegiate swimming but also the world in their respective events. Though their accomplishments are impressive, all four men have impacted the sport with more than just winning.
John Naber
Photo Courtesy: Bob Ingram
Naber hails from Evanston, Ill. but spent most of his early life living in Europe. Before he attended USC, he was already a notable name in the swimming world. He had taken bronze in the 200m backstroke at the 1973 World Championships at just 17 years old.
At USC, Naber was unstoppable. He never lost a race his entire four years of college: not just in the NCAA but also in dual meets.
In the 1976 Summer Olympics, Naber brought back an impressive four gold medals and one silver at just 20 years old. Throughout his career, Naber set several world records and broke multiple barriers. He was the first man under 1:50 in the 200y backstroke, the first to break 50 seconds in the 100y freestyle, and – arguably most shocking – was the only backstroker to ever be faster than the equivalent fly distance.
Naber’s list of accomplishments and achievements are endless; he was an incredibly dominate swimmer during his time. However, his contribution to swimming has reached beyond more than just his records and medal count. Naber has spent the majority of his life helping and leading charities and organizations for athletes.
He also found his calling as a motivational speaker, teaching future Olympians and CEOs alike the principles he has learned from swimming. His wealth of wisdom regarding resilience and determination has been valuable to countless people and has had a substantial positive impact on future swimmers and the general public alike. His constant involvement and encouragement with the future of USA swimming have paved the way for many to follow in his footsteps.
Pablo Morales
Photo Courtesy: Tim Morse
Born to Cuban parents in Chicago, Ill., Morales is one of the few Cuban-Americans ever on the American National team, already a positive role model. After moving, Morales spent the majority of his life in Santa Clara, Calif. He swam for most of his childhood and broke the butterfly national age group record in high school held by Mark Spitz. Morales continued his collegiate career at Standford, where he remained the dominant American butterflier. However, his Olympic story has inspired the next generations of American Swimmers.
Morales had already taken silver in the 100 fly and 200 IM at the 1984 Olympics and held the world record in 1988. He had taken the year off from law school to train solely for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Surprisingly, he didn’t even make the team, taking third in the 100. After trials, he retired from swimming to continue law school. Morales had not accomplished his goal of winning an individual gold medal, and that bugged him.
In 1991, after being retired for three years, Morales decided to make a Cinderella come back story. Training hard for a year, Morales made the 1992 Barcelona Olympic team for the US. At the Olympics, Morales faced Rafal Szukala and Anthony Nesty, and all three were competitors for the gold. Morales led the entire race and held off strong closing charges by Nesty and Szukala, but he powered the last few strokes home. Morales had achieved his Olympic dream after initially giving it up. Morales’ story of grit has inspired several Olympic swimmers, including Ryan Lochte.
Brendan Hansen
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Hansen was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa. and swam for several clubs growing up. Competing internationally at the age of 20, Hansen became the go-to American breaststroker for the next 10 years. He qualified for three Olympic Teams and four World Championship Teams during his career.
At the University of Texas, Hansen remained undefeated in any breaststroke event in college. During his ten-year career, Hansen brought home 25 international medals. More importantly, he was one of the key members in creating a long and impactful professional swimming career. He proved that American swimmers could make a living as a professional athlete for several years after college.
Hansen has continued to grow the sport in another significant way. He took over the Austin Swim club in 2014 and has been developing talent ever since. Hansen was a unique breaststroker and developed a distinct stroke style from most. Due to his incredible investment in his swimmers, Hansen has become one of the most renowned coaches in the US. His wisdom and skill are invaluable to shaping the next generation of American swimmers.
Ryan Murphy
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Murphy, another Chicago native, has continued the characteristic excellence of the American backstroke tradition. Murphy started off swimming in Florida and competed for the famous Bolles Swim School. At an early age, Murphy became the member of several Junior Worlds teams. Continuing his swimming career at Cal Berkely, Murphy has shattered several American records and one world record.
At Cal, he became a quick star and dominated the backstroke events. Murphy took gold in both the 100m and 200m back and also set the world record in the 100m back off the 400 medley relay. But Murhpy’s accomplishments have not ended yet, and he is in the early stages of his pro career.
Since Murphy is so young, there is time to see how he will impact the sport. So far, he has been an inspiration for many. There is no doubt that he will follow in the steps of his predecessors and be a positive role model for all swimmers.
The Fantastic Four
These four men have not only had remarkable careers in the swimming world but have also reinvested themselves by giving back. Naber has taught the lessons of an Olympic athlete to the next generation of swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Morales proved the be an inspiration by not making excuses and relentlessly pursuing his goals. Hansen has given his wisdom and talents back to the sport with his coaching. With Murphy still in the early stages of his career, he has many more years to impact the swimming community.
Winning both the 100y and 200y distances of their strokes all four years at the NCAA Division I Championships is an incredible accomplishment; however, what should be celebrated even more is their inspiration and contribution to others.
John Naber, great as he was, was not the first man under 50sec for the 100 yard free.
Our coach at ASC!
I think Robin Moore was the first under 50s for the 100 freestyle
You need a proof reader.
Berkely? Standford?
under 50 for 100 freestyle? I think you meant backstroke.
He wasn’t undefeated in college either as he only won 10 individual NCAA titles.
I remember John commentating the spring 89’ nationals where he applauded every single swimmer that walked up to the block after leaving the ready room to race that particular evening. Johns gentle giant approach and respect for everyone was a show of class and a clear reflection of who he is as a person. Thanks John , it is a found of my time in swimming and hopefully a lesson to all on what being a champion really means.
Should have read “ a fond memory “
Alan Ford was the first man to break 50 seconds for the 100 yard freestyle, in 1944. John Naber was the first man to break 50 seconds for the 100 yard backstroke, in 1975.
Expend to Top 5. Brian Goodell….https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Goodell
During his college swimming career, he won nine NCAA individual championships, including three times in each of the 500-yard freestyle, 1,650-yard freestyle, and the 400-yard individual medley