TOKYO – Former Penn State swimmer Shane Ryan (2016 graduate) competed for Ireland in the prelims of the 100 Butterfly of the 2020 Olympic Games on Thursday morning.
In an extremely tight heat, Ryan earned a personal-best time of 52.52 to place 37th in the prelims. Ryan finished fourth in his heat, which had just .3 seconds separating first and fourth. He bettered his previous personal-best of 52.94. Ryan's time of 52.52 also set a new Ireland record, bettering Brendan Hyland's 52.58.
Earlier this week, Ryan represented Ireland in the 4x200 Freestyle Relay, registering a split of 1:49.08 as the team finished with a 7:15.48, placing eighth in the heat and 14th overall. It was Ireland's first time competing in an Olympic Games relay event since 1979.
The Havertown, Pennsylvania, native is competing for Ireland, where his father originally hails from and Ryan gained residency. After reaching the semifinals in the 100 back at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he has also won gold in the 50 back at the 2017 World University Games and earned bronze in the event at both the 2018 World Short Course Championships and 2018 European Long Course Championships.
During his time as a Nittany Lion, Ryan was a five-time gold medalist at the Big Ten Championships in the 100 back ('14, '15, '17) and the 100 free ('14, '17). He was named the 2014 Swimmer of the Big Ten Championships for his five podium finishes in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 200 free relay and 400 free relay. Ryan also had two NCAA Championship podium finishes in his career after setting a school-record and winning silver in the 100 back ('14) and winning bronze a year later in the same event. He still holds the school record in six events (50 free, 100 free, 100 back, 200 & 400 medley relay and 400 free relay).
Stay up to date with the Nittany Lions by following our social media pages on Facebook (Penn State Swimming & Diving), Instagram (@Pennstateswimdive) and Twitter (@pennstateswim).
