To wrap up the 2014 US National Championships, Anthony Ervin won the men’s 50 free, securing his spot on the 2014 Pan Pacs team. He touched the wall for the win at 21.55, followed by Nathan Adrian at 21.69. Cullen Jones reached in for third, earning the final spot on the Pan Pac team. Josh Schneider finished fourth with his time of 21.88.
Matt Grevers was fifth at 22.25, followed by Jimmy Feigen in sixth. Seth Stubblefield finished 7th at 22.34 and Mark Weber finished 8th at 22.62.
The B-final was frustrating for many of the finalsts, as one swimmer jumped early, causing the whole crowd to yell prior to the start buzzer sounding. Instead of holding the swimmers back, they let the race continue. Some swimmers stood up while others got a head start. There was only one DQ in the B-final, although there should have been at least 4 or 5.
That being said, Caeleb Dressel won the B-final of the men’s 50 freestyle at 22.50. Brad DeBordewas second at 22.51.
James Jones won the C-final of the men’s 50 freestyle with his time of 22.93.
According to Wikipedia, this time was the second fastest he has swum in his career and already faster than he was at the 2012 Olympic Trials! Ervin is not getting older, he’s getting better! What was most impressive was the way he was accelerating into the finish, IMO. It was unfortunate that he had a bad swim in the finals of the 100 free in Irvine, because Anthony has become one of our most reliable relay team members. I wish him good luck in the Pan Pac prelims of the 100 free, in which I hope he’ll swim a top 4 US time, as well as in the 50 final!
“The jury’s out. Sometimes I feel really old and sometimes I surprise myself.” I feel like that could be my life’s motto at this point.
Good for Anthony Ervin, showing the youngsters how it’s done
Ervin is smiling so much more. It’s great to see!