Adrian: “I Don’t Have to Answer Questions about American Sprinting Anymore”

At the 2015 World Championships, Team USA sprinting veteran Nathan Adrian didn’t get a chance to swim the 400 free relay because the Americans failed to qualify for the championship final. For years after the London Olympics, the state of American sprinting was rocky. Tonight, however, Adrian is very pleased with the current state of the USA sprint squad.

Adrian on American sprinting:

“We’re in a good place. For so long I had to answer all these questions about what happened to American sprinting, and I don’t have to answer those questions anymore. I’m happy about that.”

On day 1 of the 2017 U.S. Nationals/World Championships Trials, the men’s 100 free was one of the top races to watch. Several men had a breakthrough in the event, with swimmers like Townley Haas (48.20) and Zach Apple (48.14) making huge time drops to dip into the 48-low range.

Adrian raced alongside fellow Rio Olympian Caeleb Dressel, as the 2 swimmers finished just a hundredth apart. Adrian came from behind to win the race in 47.96, whle Dressel took 2nd in 47.97. Haas rounded out the top 3 with his 48.20, while Apple notched 4th in 48.23 to finish just off his prelims time.

The Americans seem to be well on their way to redemption. With 4 men in the 48-low range or better, the Americans are the heavy favorites going into Budapest. It took a 48.31 for Adrian to win 2014 Nationals, which served as the qualifier for 2014 Pan Pacs and, in turn, the 2015 World Championships the following summer. Tonight, it took a 48.23 just to make the top 4.

In 2014, it took a 49.12 to make the top 6, and only 3 men were under 49 seconds. Two of those men, Jimmy Feigen and Ryan Lochte, were just barely under 49 with a pair of 48.9s. Tonight in Indianapolis, Michael Chadwick took 5th in 48.48 and Blake Pieroni was 6th in 48.49.

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Jhony bravo
7 years ago

What happened with Ryan Held??

sven
Reply to  Jhony bravo
7 years ago

He didn’t finish in the top 6.

haha
7 years ago

I’m pretty sure the direct quote was: “For so long I had to answer all these DUMB questions about what happened to American sprinting, and I don’t have to answer those questions anymore.” Haha

Go Bearcats
7 years ago

I don’t think many people saw that coming from Haas. Way to go man!!!

Markster
Reply to  Go Bearcats
7 years ago

Eddie did. He’s been making comments about his potential to be a great 100 freestyler for two years now.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Markster
7 years ago

Eddie is the Man who knows in advance !!!

Swimming Fan
Reply to  Go Bearcats
7 years ago

Longhorn 2018 recruits also did well in 100 FR. Krueger in 14th at 49.47, Willenbring in 17th at 49.57 (a 1.69 sec. drop) and Zettle a .86 sec drop to 51.05.

Caeleb dressel\'s occupied stall
Reply to  Go Bearcats
7 years ago

If the dude got stronger/more explosive, worked on his start and underwaters, and learned how to do a damn flipturn he would break the world record lol

Zanna
7 years ago

Swimswan, can you post the other races like how you want posted the Women’s 100 free (race, interview and medal ceremony). Thank you.

Zanna
Reply to  Zanna
7 years ago

* typo. How you posted

Admin
Reply to  Zanna
7 years ago

Hi Zanna – the rest of the race videos haven’t been made available. We’ll post them if/when they are.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Braden Keith
7 years ago

i have seen a lot of videos on the Usaswimming website – but maybe just available for the ones who have subscribed ?!

ERVINFORTHEWIN
7 years ago

Incredible depth !!! so happy to see that

Tom from Chicago
7 years ago

Michael Andrews broke :50 in 100M free and that’s his worst stroke. Wow.

Uberfan
Reply to  Tom from Chicago
7 years ago

Underrated swim, MA will qualify in something no doubt, I think he’s got it in the 50 fly, back and breast

Rafael
Reply to  Uberfan
7 years ago

Beating Cordes Murphy and dressel if they go for all? Can’t see.

Uberfan
Reply to  Rafael
7 years ago

Do you need to win the 50 to qualify for the team?

sven
Reply to  Uberfan
7 years ago

yes

Swimmer?
Reply to  Uberfan
7 years ago

No doubt? Seriously? Wow…

Marc
Reply to  Uberfan
7 years ago

100 Br is his best chance, but i think he needs a year or two more to keep improving

Rafael
Reply to  Marc
7 years ago

Some fans think Andrew is Phelps, Thorpe, Gyurta material that at 15 would be top contenders/WR holders, etc..

Zanna
7 years ago

Why no videos? Like in all other meets. Is USA swimming blocking this too?

Andy
Reply to  Zanna
7 years ago

They are all on the USA Swimming YouTube Channel and on usaswimming.org

knee koh
7 years ago

the boys are back in town?

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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