Caeleb Dressel: “I don’t want to be labeled as a sprinter” (Video)

Reported by James Sutherland.

Caeleb Dressel: “I was a happy with the [butterfly races], and I couldn’t ask for more. I’m definitely a speed guy, that’s how I swim most of my races … but I just want to swim a smart race. I don’t want to be labeled as a sprinter that goes out wicked fast and just dies. I want to be a speed guy that controls his races.”

MEN’S 100 FLY FINALS

  1. Caeleb Dressel, BSS, 50.87
  2. Tim Phillips, MAC, 51.30
  3. Jack Conger, NCAP, 51.33

Caeleb Dressel continues to light the pool on fire here in Indy, throwing down a time of 50.87 in the men’s 100 fly. He becomes the fastest man in this world this year, and the first to crack the 51-second barrier. After an incredible win in this event at NCAAs where he beat Olympic champ Joseph Schooling, Dressel’s swim sets up another duel between the two in Budapest.

He joins Michael PhelpsIan Crocker and Tyler McGill as Americans who have dipped below the 51-second mark. He passes McGill (50.90) for 3rd on the all-time list.

Along with Dressel, Jack Conger and Tom Shields had to be considered the frontrunners to qualif for Worlds in this event. Shields was in the Olympic final last year, and Conger was this morning’s top qualifier in 51.37. But when it was all said and done it was Tim Phillips getting to the wall in 2nd in 51.30, booking himself a ticket to his second straight World Championship after missing the Olympics last year. He is now 3rd in the world.

Conger was 0.03 back for 3rd in 51.33, and Shields, who led after the turn, tied up on the last few strokes and took 4th in 51.55. Justin Lynch (52.20) and Zach Harting (52.52) had solid swims for 5th and 6th. Harting again lowers his PB, as he did it in the heats, and then in a swim-off to get into the final.

Maxime Rooney (52.28) took the B-final, while Drew Kibler (53.60) qualifies for Junior Worlds with his C-final win. He joins Nicolas Albiero, who was 2nd in the B-final in 53.05.

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AvidSwimFan
6 years ago

He’s young. Now’s the time to handle a busy schedule. I’m sure he has big aspirations for Tokyo 2020. No better time to work the kinks than now. He swam the 200 to be part of the relay. It’s up to Dressel, his coach, and Team USA to decide if he can handle it all. Please let’s not limit him.

PsychoDad
6 years ago

I am a big Schooling fan and all things Horns, but I see nothing wrong with what Dressel said and I enjoy very match watching him swim. As a matter of fact, our son is sick of me asking him to try next time, on 100y fly, not to breathe last 25 yards, the way Dressel did it. :).

Brownie
Reply to  PsychoDad
6 years ago

Go horns!!!!

Swim
6 years ago

All he is saying is that he wants to expand his event schedule and not be remembered only for a 50/100.. stop freaking out

Swimmer?
6 years ago

Too bad.

jelly
6 years ago

For all those people complaining about “Anti-Dressel” people, many more people receive much more hate than he does, especially Schooling mainly because he isn’t American. Come one guys, if you have the right to hate on Schooling then what’s to say these Dressel haters can’t hate on Dressel

jelly
Reply to  jelly
6 years ago

In my opinion, not trying to change yours, in all honesty Schooling has a lot more sportsmanship compared to Le Clos or Cavic, who constantly trash-talked Michael Phelps, whereas there is no such trash talk about anybody from Joseph. Sure, that one time at NCAAs last year after the 100fly his reaction wasn’t by far the best, but he later admitted it and apologised. After all, everyone’s bound to be disappointed by failure to reach your goals and nobody is perfect, Schooling isn’t a superhuman expected to do everything right. Hey! even Michael Phelps makes mistakes sometimes. Also, I would like to add that although anyone has the right to hate on anybody, it doesn’t mean we should be doing… Read more »

luigi
6 years ago

Relax, he just said he doesnt wanna be someone who goes out fast and dies, he wants to hold his speed.
Basically he does not want to be a 50 meters (or yards) specialist, that’s all.

pol
6 years ago

Schooling fanatic is here! LOL! Why? Admit it. Dressel is a threat. And you’re scared. LOL!

Chlorineviking
6 years ago

I know we feel passionate about the athletes we chose to support, but to call Caeleb arrogant is simply not right. Arrogant? He is the most humble, hard working and loyal team mate any coach or country could wish for. He is the whole package and one that I hope America will support and enjoy watching represent them in the best way an athlete can for many years to come. He is a rare beast and you cannot wish for more in an athlete. Just enjoy watching him. He’s a great kid!

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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