Dressel Scorches 18.1 50 Free For American Record in Prelims

2018 MEN’S NCAA SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Swimmers are competing in day 2 prelims of the 2018 Men’s NCAA Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This morning’s action included the 50 free, which included American Record holder Caeleb Dressel of Florida and 3 more of the all-time top 10 fastest performers: NC State’s Ryan Held, Minnesota’s Bowen Becker, and Cal’s Ryan Hoffer. Dressel got after it in prelims, taking down his own record with a quick 18.11.

Tonight in finals, he has a chance to be the first man ever under 18 from a flat start. This morning’s swim came after a 17.96 relay split in the 200 free relay. Dressel will be joined in the final by Held (18.69), Becker (18.88), and Hoffer (19.04), so we’ll see 4 of the fastest men ever in the heat. Indiana’s Blake Pieroni, who rocked an American Record in the 200 free with his historic 1:29 last night, will join them after putting up an 18.93 for 4th.

ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMERS: MEN’S 50 YARD FREE

Place Swimmer Time
1 Caeleb Dressel 18.11
2 Cesar Cielo 18.47
3 Matt Targett 18.52
4 Ryan Held 18.58
5 Vlad Morozov 18.63
6 Kristian Gkolomeev 18.64
7 Nathan Adrian 18.66
8 Bowen Becker 18.69
9 Ryan Hoffer 18.71
10 Adam Brown 18.72

ALL-TIME TOP PERFORMANCES: MEN’S 50 YARD FREE

Place Swimmer Time
1 Caeleb Dressel 18.11
2 Caeleb Dressel 18.20
3 Caeleb Dressel 18.23
4 Caeleb Dressel 18.23
5 Caeleb Dressel 18.23
6 Caeleb Dressel 18.24
7 Caeleb Dressel 18.29
8 Caeleb Dressel 18.32
9 Caeleb Dressel 18.38
10 Caeleb Dressel 18.39

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SwamSwim
6 years ago

For a comment about something other than Dressel (not to minimize his greatness), who do people have getting second: Becker or Held? (I vote Becker)

JJJ
Reply to  SwamSwim
6 years ago

Held. I think Becker peaked at Big 10s. We’ll see though!

Pinodee
6 years ago

The scariest thing about this swim is that he hasn’t even pulled out the Mizuno yet…

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Pinodee
6 years ago

He had the short li’l jammer on, which always looks like he’s in a JFK Jr costume:

comment image

PKWater
Reply to  Steve Nolan
6 years ago

I knew I recognized his look from somewhere. Thanks Steve!

Small bird
6 years ago

Dressels stroke looked a little smoother / more controlled / more efficient than in the past. I counted 8 / 11 strokes vs 8 / 12 strokes (by 25) from his 50 last year. Think that bodes really well for long course.

Thatguy
Reply to  Small bird
6 years ago

Dressel himself said he had taken an extra stroke last year. If you re watch it you can see he glided in smoother today than he did last year rather than taking the extra stroke and jabbing in

HB Swim Dad
6 years ago

This analysis of Dressel’s start off the blocks is enlightening as it raises many details lost on competitive swimmers:
https://www.yourswimlog.com/caeleb-dressels-start/

Fiveos
6 years ago

18.00 in finals tonight?

Philip
6 years ago

Dang, that stat for the all-time performances is just dominance.

JimSwim
Reply to  Philip
6 years ago

But who is that guy in 1-10 place?

THEO
6 years ago

I feel like an idiot critiquing anything Dressel does but he did seem a little long into his turn this morning. Room for improvement? Or am I just imagining it?

swimmer123
Reply to  THEO
6 years ago

He very clearly had .12 left in the tank

Dan
Reply to  THEO
6 years ago

That is how he does his turns, the dive-turn (just look at previous years swims).

Caeleb Dressel Will Win 8 Gold Medals in Tokyo
6 years ago

I’m cursing myself for missing getting tickets

Bob

Can’t you buy tickets at the door for one day sessions

Bob
Reply to  Bob
6 years ago

That’s what I saw online at least

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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