COLUMBUS, Ohio — Standing at 6-foot-7, with a size 16 shoe, one of the newest members of Team USA is built for speed, but he hasn’t always had it.
Hunter Armstrong finished second in the 100-meter backstroke at the Olympic trials, just behind world-record holder Ryan Murphy, punching his ticket to Tokyo.
“It was definitely a surprise,” Armstrong said.
Just three months prior, he finished 13th in the 100-yard backstroke at the NCAA Division I National Championship meet.
He said the vast improvement came with more training.
“Getting into the strength coaching and devoting more time to swimming and taking it seriously,” he said.
Associate Head Coach for the Ohio State University Men’s and Women’s Swim and Dive Team Matt Bowe works with Armstrong during practice.
He said the rising junior has raw talent.
“I believe it’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Bowe said. “I think he has a lot more room for improvement in strength.”
Armstrong will join Team USA for training in Hawaii from June 27- July 12.
He said he’s excited to represent his small town of Dover, Ohio and his country in Tokyo.
“The United States has an amazing history of 1000-meter backstrokers and I want to be a part of that,” Armstrong said. “Hopefully, we can 1-2, 1-3.”
Armstrong started swimming when he was 6 years old at the Tuscarawas County YMCA.