Matt Grevers Offers 100 Back (53.48) Retort; Missy Franklin Caps Backstroke Sweep

With the 100 backstroke scheduled for the final day of the Longhorn Aquatics Elite Invite, Matt Grevers had the chance to take a gauge of the event’s status heading into the United States Olympic Trials later this month in Omaha. He had the opportunity to digest the 52.40 of David Plummer in Indianapolis and the 52.76 of Ryan Murphy in Santa Clara. On Sunday night, Grevers turned in his rebuttal at the Longhorn Aquatics Elite Invite.

Although the reigning Olympic champion didn’t match the times produced by his countrymen, Grevers put together a sharp enough performance to verify he’ll be right in the mix when the bids to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro are doled out. Grevers covered his two laps in 53.48, not far off his season-best mark of 53.35.

The silver medalist in the 100 back at the 2008 Games in Beijing, Grevers will be the most-decorated athlete to contest the event in Omaha. Yet, all of his achievements guarantee him nothing in a discipline that is loaded with talent around the world, and especially in American waters. Of the trio of Grevers, Plummer and Murphy, one guy with gold-medal potential will be left home.

Grevers raced unchallenged over his two laps, going out in 25.90 and coming home in 27.58. The runnerup position went to John Shebat in 55.12.

Missy Franklin off on the trail of another defence – by Patrick B. Kraemer

A race before Grevers went to work, the other reigning Olympic champ in the 100 backstroke …

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