“It’s Just Fun to be Back”: Caeleb Dressel Wins His First Race Since Launching Comeback

2023 U.S. OPEN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• November 29-December 2, 2023
• Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Long Course Meters (50 meters)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 9 AM (ET)
  • Finals: 6 PM (ET)
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• Live Stream Info
• Day 1 Finals Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
• Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap

There were three championship records broken and one tied during an action-packed third night of finals at the 2023 U.S Open Championship. But it was Caeleb Dressel who got the loudest cheer of the night as he flew home to earn his first win at a meet since returning to swimming this spring. His last win was the 50 butterfly at 2022 Worlds.

• Related: Caeleb Dressel Unpacks His Journey Back to Swimming Since 2022 World Champs

“It’s just fun to be back,” he said smiling in his post-race interview after expressing how well his training has been going and how much he enjoys the training group in Gainesville. Speaking of the group, one of the first people to congratulate him on the win was his training parter Josh Liendo, who placed 3rd.

The seven-time Olympic gold medalist came into the 100-meter butterfly final with two solid swims under his belt. He broke 22 seconds in the 50 freestyle for the first time since April 2022. And, in prelims of the 100 fly he had the fastest back half of anyone in the 66 swimmer field (26.86) which hinted at bigger things to come in the championship final.

Dressel’s always been known for his start. For his speed the first 15 meters of a race. He did have the fastest reaction time in the final but like his prelims swim, it was his back half that was the difference maker. After getting off the blocks first, Dressel turned at the halfway point in 6th place (24.42), .39 seconds behind the leading Santo Condorelli.

He dug in on the remaining 50 meters and once again turned in a field-best second 50. He split 26.89 on the way home, the only one in the field sub-27 seconds, flying through the field and getting his hands on the wall for the win just a hundredth ahead of ASU’s freshman phenom Ilya Kharun: 51.31 to 51.32.

Dressel’s 100 Fly Swims Since Comeback

• 2023 Atlanta Classic (prelims) — 53.60
• 2023 Atlanta Classic (finals) — 52.41
• 2023 U.S. Nationals (prelims) — 51.95
• 2023 U.S. Nationals (finals) — 51.66
• 2023 U.S. Open (prelims) — 51.83
• 2023 U.S. Open (finals) — 51.31

It’s Dressel’s fastest time since launching his comeback earlier this year, getting under the 51.66 he swam at 2023 U.S. Nationals back in June. But Dressel described the time as the “cherry on top,” in his post-race interview. He explained: “It’s always exciting to see fast times–it’s not something I need right now, training’s been going great.”

Dressel’s final race of the meet is the 100m freestyle. His fastest time since 2022 is a 49.42 but as he made clear tonight, a fast time will be a bonus as he continues his return to the sport.

Watch Dressel’s first win since 2022 below, courtesy of NBC Sports:

MEN’S 100-METER BUTTERFLY – FINALS

• World Record: 49.45 – Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• American Record: 49.45 – Caeleb Dressel (2021)
• U.S. Open Meet Record: 51.65 – Tom Shields (2013)
• U.S. Open Record: 49.76 – Caeleb Dressel (2021)

Top 8: 

1. Caeleb Dressel (GSC) — 51.31
2. Ilya Kharun (UN) — 51.32
3. Josh Liendo (FLOR) — 51.42
4. Hubert Kos (UN) — 51.59
5. Santo Condorelli (UN) — 51.90
6. Aiden Hayes (NCS) — 52.10
7. Trenton Julian (MVN) — 52.12
8. Zach Harting (CARD) — 52.18