Ponte Vedra Beach native Murphy completes backstroke sweep at Nationals

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Ponte Vedra Beach native and Bolles School graduate Ryan Murphy added to his already stellar swimming career this past weekend when he wrapped up a sweep of the backstroke at the Phillips 66 National Championship in Irvine, California.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist and University of California swimmer picked up titles in the 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter backstroke and 50-meter backstroke, a race in which he set an American record in the process. Murphy's time of 24.24 seconds eclipsed the previous American record of 24.33 set by Randall Bal in 2008 and ranks as the seventh-fastest 50 backstroke time ever. The event was held July 25-29.

The local star also set the world record in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2016 Rio Olympics.