IRVINE, Calif. — A back-to-back-to-back national champion in the backstroke is from right here in our own backyard.
Ponte Vedra resident and Bolles School graduate Ryan Murphy is a three time Olympic gold medal winner, and now has three consecutive national championships in the backstroke.
He won in the 200-meter event at the USA Swimming national championships held in Irvine, California.
Murphy used a powerful second 100 meters to break away from his nearest competitor, California teammate Jacob Pebley.
His time of 1:54.15 was plenty to bring home the national title.
This also qualifies him for his second Pan Pacific Championships.
Murphy won three gold medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics.