Caeleb Dressel, despite being such a huge high school and college swimming star, has not been on my radar as a contender for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials or the 2016 Olympic Games. I come from the Matt Biondi v Tom Jager era, the made-for-tv dash-for-cash pioneers of sprint swimming. Those guys were my captains for a decade on the USA National Team, and they’re big, towering figures. Dressel is not.
Dressel, however, may be more exciting to watch. What he lacks in size, he more than makes up for with sheer turnover power. And he sits right on top of the water, has such a beautiful feel for it. (In fact, of all the male elites, I think Dressel and Will Licon exhibit these qualities the most.)
After’s Dressel’s NCAA 50 freestyle win back in March and his lights-out win at U.S. Nationals in San Antonio, he’s on everyone’s radar.
Predicting the top sprinters in Omaha next June has gotten a whole lot harder. I think everyone’s learned that Cullen Jones is like a polar bear, hibernating until the Olympic season rolls around, and Nathan Adrian‘s a stalwart stock, always improving by inches, claiming a new American record at World Championships in Kazan. Frankly, I’m too insecure about my “sprinting crystal ball” to get after this one. I could easily see the 50m free top-three in Omaha all being slow, seeing the top guys upset. You just never know… I will say this. Dressel, with Coach Gregg Troy at his back, puts down a sub 48 second 100m free in Omaha. Dressel’s on the Olympic Team in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay.
What are your thoughts on 50m and 100m freestyle in Omaha?
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
Dressel is the key of the American 4X100 free relay.
If he can be in 48 low mode in Rio, or even still better under 48, not only in Omaha but also in Rio, then the US relay is again a strong gold medal contender with Michael Phelps, Nathan Adrian and a 4th man like Rooney, Conger or Chadwick.
To bad santo went north..
But you’re right, dressel AND conger will be the keys for the men’s team.. Get phelps back in the leadoff spot and Adrian on the anchor
also don’t forget about Murphy in the 100 free with the young guys too.. Really thought Nolan would have been better this summer
I wonder if grevers will swim the 100 free again next year, to be fair he should have been on the men’s team in the finals after going 47.54 in the morning in 2012
Thank you Mel
2016 I see Flo and Nathan battling it out for sprint supremacy, with Vlad and Caeleb battling for a spot on the podium, trying to determine who the next face of sprint free truly is. Gonna be a fun summer, brothers.
I missed that result. 21.87 is impressive. I guess that puts Jones in potential spoiler territory. I didn’t think he still has that much gas.
“I can’t take any credit. God gave me the natural talent, my coaches developed that talent, and my parents are working harder than me just keeping me in the sport…”, wow, this is a humble athlete who tries to everything in perspective while at the same time not setting limits on himself! I wish him the best of luck!
Hank — Cullen went 21.87 at Nationals two months ago.
With all due respect to Cullen Jones don’t see him in the top 2 in the 50 at trials. Maybe 3rd and closer to 22.0. When is the last time he swam sub 22?
A lot of people didn’t see Cullen Jones placing in the top 2 in the 100 free at 2012 trials. If memory serves me correctly I think he got second from lane 1. Also, a lot of people didn’t see Cullen Jones getting silver in the 50 in London and beating Cielo. Cullen Jones is a big show swimmer, it would be dumb to count him out. I think it will be a toss up between 4 or 5 people in the 50 and Jones is absolutely one of those people.
21.49 50 free
48.15 100 free
should dip below 48 at olympics, and is a medal contender for the 50