Coming out of the pandemic and a tough Olympic year under trying circumstances, new talent has emerged. Shaine Casas is among that crew of swim stars shining in this endless summer of competitions.
European Champs is nearly over and Duel In The Pool starts in mere days, August 19-21. For Shaine his times matter a lot less at this competition. For him, it’s just another international meet to gain experience. And he needs it.
Shaine seems like a completely different swimmer than he was last summer. His 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials was tough to watch. I think most fans felt his performances in Omaha didn’t match his talent. This summer, however, Shaine’s notched his first long course meters international medal, World Championships bronze in the 200 back, swimming a PB, 1:55.35.
At U.S. Summer Nationals in Irvine, CA he earned three PBs:
- 100m fly – 50.4 – gold
- 200m IM – 1:55.24 – gold
- 100m free – 48.28 – prelims swim (in finals 3rd, 48.4)
Looking ahead, and under the guidance of coach Eddie Reese, Shaine’s future looks bright on the run-up to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in Indy, but where should he focus his energy? In the interview above Shaine notes he was sick at U.S. International Team Trials, but thinks he made a mistake focusing on the 200 back. He said he should’ve raced more, taken more chances and not put all of his eggs in one basket.
Sparring with Carson Foster in practice, I’d like to see a fast 200 IM, a low 1:54 by next summer. I’d also like to see him break through in the 100 fly, dipping into the 49s. His backstroke should evolve with age and experience, but after dropping that 48.2 100m free at Summer Nationals, I’d like to see a 47 plus, a time that puts him in solid contention for the Team USA 4×100 free relay.
But who cares what I think? I want to know what you think. Drop your comments below.
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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.
Shane is the greatest swimmer who ever touched water in his own mind.
I feel like the analogy may be Ryan Lochte circa 2006. Lochte’s 200 back / 200 IM Olympic double was just nuts – even Phelps wouldn’t try that. On one hand, I have a lot of respect for that level of ballsiness. On the other hand, Lochte may have won the 200 IM if that was his only event, at least in 2012.
It just comes down to which is more personally gratifying – chasing lots of minor medals and relay spots, or maximizing his chance at an individual gold (which is still probably less than 50%).
Personally, I’d like to see him swim what USA needs the most, which would be 200 of back, fly, free, and IM.… Read more »
I believe the 200 IM / 200 Back is no longer a direct conflict with the Paris schedule.
That’s correct.
It’s not… but now it is for the women. They changed it because of the high crossover and then introduced the same problem for the women.
Honestly the Paris schedule is worse than Tokyo even with an additional day.
100 breaststroke. He can take down peaty.
One event. The women’s 200 breaststroke.
I mean… surely he’s pretty much guaranteed gold if he enters that right?
he is all the map is what I think (but who cares 🙁 ). One week he is great at everything, next week he is failing most expectations, and on the last day of the meet swims a PB. He is capable a World record but maybe not at not at a big meet. It will be fun to watch him grow and surprise us. He should focus on having fun, and not on what people expect of him…
He should ditch the backstroke and aim for 200IM, 100 fly and 100 free for the relay.
Maybe later on in his career he can try for the 4×200.
And about the predictions, Mel’s gone nuts again
Yes
Dude… “His backstroke should evolve with age and experience…” bc backstroke is in process. However, yeah, I would like to see what he can do in 200 IM, 100 fly, and 100 free, bc he’s showing range.
Like Jack Conger’s backstroke evolved with age and experience? Sometime people plateau in certain events and then progress in others.
…true, but we always hope talent with breakthrough on the elite meters stage. Conger was great from a very young age. Casas developed as an elite later in his career.
I didn’t know Stephen A Smith commented on Swimswam
…he went best times in all 3 backstroke events in the last 4 months. That is what I call progress in a stroke.
I’m with Coleman on this one. I think Shaine’s got more to give in back, I think the 24.0 shows there’s more to give in the 100 and there’s no way he maxes out at a 1:55 in the 200.
He should start with the 200 medley and treat everything else as second tier backup plan. I don’t know what it is about that event. Maybe change the name. Keep them in blindfolds and don’t tell them what race they’re about to swim until up on the blocks. Otherwise so many find every excuse to avoid.
His 200 IM and 100 fly are way better than his 200 back, but 200 back is so weak internationally right now that it might be his biggest chance for gold. idk.
…true.
Not saying he should race this event individually at international competitions, but I’d very much like to see what he can do in the long course 200 free. IIRC he’s been as fast as 1:30 leading off A&M’s 800 free relay.
also true…but I think a ripping 200 yard free ends up translating into a fast 100 meter free by the time college swimmers are in their post college pro career. Shaine could be different bc he’ll be training 200m across IM and back.