U.S. Nationals: Justin Ress and Hunter Armstrong Continue Friendly Rivalry in 50 Backstroke
For the past 14 months, Hunter Armstrong and Justin Ress have engaged in a spirited rivalry in the 50 backstroke, characterized by respect, but still a rivalry nonetheless. At the International Team Trials last year, Armstrong set an American record in the prelims and went on to break the world record in the finals. However, Ress was close behind and became one of only three swimmers to ever break the 24-second mark in the event. Although only one swimmer qualifies for the U.S. team in the 50-meter races, Ress secured a spot on the team by finishing sixth in the 100 freestyle and was able to add the backstroke sprint to his lineup.
In Budapest, Ress emerged victorious, narrowly beating Armstrong for the title. However, Ress was initially disqualified for an illegal move at the finish, resulting in Armstrong being awarded the gold medal. Shortly thereafter, the disqualification was overturned, and Armstrong graciously surrendered the gold medal to Ress, acknowledging his teammate’s rightful victory.
Continued Battles and Sprint Excellence
The rivalry between Armstrong and Ress continued through various stops along the Pro Swim Series in 2023. Both swimmers are known for their impressive speed and power, excelling in both freestyle and backstroke events. Their showdown in Indianapolis carried additional weight, as only one spot for the World Championships was available in the 50-meter sprints. Ress had already secured a chance to potentially qualify as a relay alternate after finishing sixth in the 100 free. However, Armstrong’s chances depended solely on the 50 and 100 backstroke events after missing the 100 free final.
In the race, Armstrong took the lead with a strong start and breakout, but Ress surged ahead with a rapid tempo. As they neared the wall, the gap between them remained narrow. Despite Armstrong’s towering height of 6-foot-8 inches, Ress managed to touch the wall first in 24.10 seconds, leaving Armstrong just behind at 24.16 seconds. Reflecting on his approach to racing, Ress emphasized the importance of enjoying the moment and maintaining a consistent mindset regardless of the competition in the pool.
With their performances in Indianapolis, both swimmers were off their personal-best times, which stand at 23.71 seconds for Armstrong and 23.92 seconds for Ress. However, Ress’s time currently ranks first in the world, edging out Russia’s Kliment Kolesnikov by two hundredths of a second. Armstrong sits in third place globally, followed closely by Poland’s Marcin Goraj.
While Ress’s victory in the 50 backstroke solidifies his spot at the World Championships, there is still a chance for Armstrong to swim the event if he qualifies as one of the top two finishers in the 100 backstroke. However, the 100 backstroke represents Armstrong’s final opportunity to secure a place on the team. The gap between Ress, Armstrong, and the rest of the field was significant, with Wyatt Davis taking third place in 24.62 seconds, followed by Ryan Held at 24.66 seconds and Shaine Casas at 24.70 seconds.
