U.S. Olympic Trials: Keaton Jones Takes Top Seed in 200 Back; Ryan Murphy Second

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. Olympic Trials: Keaton Jones Takes Ownership of the Top Seed in 200 Back; Ryan Murphy Second

In a semifinal that was stacked with men who registered times under the two-minute mark this morning, they surely were fighting for the coveted eight spots in the final. They all fought hard, as all qualifiers for the final registered times under 1:58, making a statement about the standard of excellence in this event for the American men.

Keaton Jones, the 13-14 NAG holder in this event, held a commanding lead over his opponents in the first heat. He built a lead that ended in a two second differential over the heat with a time 1:55.49 – which is a top three performance in the world for this year. A time that will put him in the first-place seed going into the final of the event on Thursday night.

Competing with Jones, Daniel Diehl touched second in the heat with a time of 1:57.29. He was followed closely by Caleb Maldari who punched in a time of 1:57.99. They will be seeded fifth and eighth for the final.

In the second heat, Ryan Murphy registered the fastest reaction time coming off the blocks but was put to the test by Jack Aikins, Tommy Janton and Hunter Tapp through the first 100 of the second heat. Murphy, the ever-calm veteran, had no problem overtaking his heat to touch first with a time of 1:55.69. While an impressive swim, he will be seeded behind Jones going into the final.

Jack Aikins fell slightly down in the rankings for the final, now seeded third, with a time of 1:55.95. Tommy Janton put up an impressive time of 1:56.87, a massive two second drop from his prelims swim. He will be coming into the final at the fourth spot.

Still in the mix is Jay Litherland and Hunter Tapp at the sixth seed and seventh seeds with times of 1:57.59 and 1:57.79, respectively.

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