Reported by James Sutherland.
Caeleb Dressel: “It feels good, especially with good company. There’s a lot of really fast guys in that heat. I just have to work on my last 25m in the next few weeks. We’ll look over the schedule and figure out what we need to do to represent USA the best I can. If your focus is set on one race at a time, all of your energy is going to go into that one race – that’s what really helps me … moving along and going with the flow.”
MEN’S 50 FREE FINALS
- American Record: Nathan Adrian, 21.37, 2015
- U.S. Open Record: Cesar Cielo, 21.14, 2009
- LC National Meet Record: Nathan Adrian/Garrett Weber-Gale, 21.47, 2013/2008
- FINA ‘A’ Standard: 22.47
- Caeleb Dressel, BSS, 21.53
- Nathan Adrian, CAL, 21.87
- Cullen Jones, WOLF, 21.89
Caeleb Dressel had it from the start, exploding into his breakout with an advantage and never relinquishing it, winning the men’s 50 in a time of 21.53 to equal his best time done at the 2015 Nationals in San Antonio. This is his third win of the meet, and he now has four individual events qualified for Worlds plus a ton of potential relays. Dressel now sits 3rd in the world in this event, trailing Ben Proud (GBR) and Vladimir Morozov (RUS).
Nathan Adrian edged out Cullen Jones for the second spot, touching in 21.87 to Jones’ 21.89 to join Dressel as the U.S. representatives in the sprint free events this summer. Jones has a second consecutive 3rd place finish in this event, as he finished in the same position last year in Omaha.
Auburn’s Zach Apple finished off his breakout meet with another best time in the 50, clocking 22.00 for 4th, and Michael Andrew arguably had his best swim of the meet taking 5th in 22.03 shortly after swimming the 200 IM. 2016 Olympic champ Anthony Ervin took 6th in 22.09, and Michael Chadwick (22.10) and Ryan Held (22.42) rounded out the A-final.
2016 Trials finalist Dillon Virva (22.21) and Cal commit Ryan Hoffer (22.71) won the B and C-finals.
I’m begging you, please get different bumpers for the video. The static thing makes me want to not even play your video and I regret it every time I do.
Wise words from the young speedster. Keep doing your thing!!!
Looking at his Worlds schedule, I do think it’s doable. The hardest days are 07/28 & 07/29 with the 50free/100flyprelims, semis, & finals, along with the 4×200 free &4×100 MX free. Personally, I think the big question mark is whether he will have enough left in the tank for the 4×100 MX free final after the 50 free & 100 fly final. Yet, everyone is focused on the 4×200 free relay prelims which comes after 50free/100fly prelims. Here he’s fighting for a spot in the top 16. Why does it feel like people only care about the 4×200 free relay because they want Conger to get his spot? I really hope he’s chosen for the 4×200 free prelims.
He was seriously pumping himself before the start of the 50 free – nobody else did that .
It would be nice to have Phelps give him some “Big Brother” advice on how to work his way through his tough Budapest schedule successfully.
Now is when Michael could start lending a hand to Team USA. No one is going to doubt his advice. He definitely has the credibility most don’t possess.
Come on, Michael. Put out a call to Caleb.
“Beisel will take care of me.” Awesome. Team Florida!
The two of them next to each other were the best part of Phelps’ OTC behind the scenes videos
Congrats Dressel on an outstanding Nationals. Here’s hoping you peak at Worlds.
I love that he’s thinking about Team USA in his decisions. Part of what distinguished MP was his reliability on Team USA’s relays. Dressel a
Dressel has been clutch for many Florida relays, I’ll love to see him do the same for Team USA.
Sounds like a pretty tame nightmare.