Dressel Leads off in 17.81 to Become First Man Under 18

2018 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Day 2 finals at the 2018 Men’s NCAA Championships kicked off with the 200 free relay. Florida’s Caeleb Dressel, who cracked the American Record in the 50 free this morning, stepped up for the Gators with an incredible split tonight. Dressel lead off for the Gators in 17.81, blowing away the individual 50 free American Record and NCAA Record as he became the first man to ever break 18 seconds from a flat start.

This morning, Dressel set the American Record with an 18.11 in prelims. He has another shot to crack his own record tonight in the 50 free finals. Florida went on to win the 200 free relay in 1:14.39. The fastest rolling-start split is a 17.71 done by Dressel in 2017. He was just a tenths shy of that from a flat start tonight. USC’s Vlad Morozov is the only other man to have broken 18 from a relay start with his 17.86 from the 2013 NCAA meet.

Sub-18 50 Free Relay Splits:

  1. 17.71- Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2017
  2. (T-2) 17.86- Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2017
  3. (T-2) 17.86- Vlad Morozov (USC), 2013
  4. 17.90- Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2017
  5. 17.92- Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2018
  6. 17.96- Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2018
  7. 17.99- Caeleb Dressel (Florida), 2017

Dressel still owns the 10 fastest times ever in the 50 free.

ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMANCES: MEN’S 50 FREE

Place Swimmer Time
1 Caeleb Dressel 17.81
2 Caeleb Dressel 18.11
3 Caeleb Dressel 18.20
4 Caeleb Dressel 18.23
5 Caeleb Dressel 18.23
6 Caeleb Dressel 18.23
7 Caeleb Dressel 18.24
8 Caeleb Dressel 18.29
9 Caeleb Dressel 18.32
10 Caeleb Dressel 18.38

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USA
5 years ago

I think Florida May win this

TIM Grills
5 years ago

He just went 17.65 in the 50 final

Steve Nolan
5 years ago

Welp close this one down.

Bolles Alum
5 years ago

Roomed with the guy at Southern Zones as a 12-year-old; most talented swimmer I’ve ever seen (sorry Michael). Dude deserves all the success he’s worked for

pvdh
5 years ago

holy smoked Jan Switkowski! Florida getting some serious points tonight.

Philip Johnson
5 years ago

Ok, I had doubts Dressel could break the 50 free long course world record, but I think he can now.

wild Bill
5 years ago

Yes! We witnessed HISTORY!

Iwasgoodingradeschool
5 years ago

All hail the GOAT

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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