Ryan Held: I’m going, and that’s all that matters (Video)

Reported by Mitch Bowmile. 

MEN’S 100M FREESTYLE FINALS

Top seed: Nathan Adrian (47.91)
World record: 46.91 – Cesar Cielo (Brazil)
American record: 47.33 – David Walters
U.S Open record: 47.58 – Jason Lezak
U.S Nationals record: 47.58 – Jason Lezak
JR World record: 48.25 – Matheus Santana (Brazil)
2012 Winning Time: 48.10 – Nathan Adrian

It was an absolute dog fight in the men’s 100m freestyle to say the least, and reigning Olympic gold medallist Nathan Adrian managed to come out on top.

With the second fastest time in the world this year, Adrian held off both Caeleb Dressel and Ryan Held in order to grab the win with a 47.72.

Dressel was second in 48.23, securing an individual swim in Rio by just three one-hundredths of a second as Held touched third in 48.26.

Anthony Ervin touched fourth in 48.54, securing his spot on the Olympic team as a relay swimmer. He went out fast, turning in first, but ultimately couldn’t hold on.

Jimmy Feigen was fifth, Blake Pieroni was sixth.

  1. Nathan Adrian (47.72)
  2. Caeleb Dressel (48.23)
  3. Ryan Held (48.26)
  4. Anthony Ervin (48.54)
  5. Jimmy Feigen (48.57)
  6. Blake Pieroni (48.78)
  7. William Copeland (49.12)
  8. Conor Dwyer (49.13)

For official results click here.

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Frank C.
8 years ago

Are we forgetting David Fox? He eventually wised up and decided to finish his schooling down the road in Chapel Hill, but his NCAA record 19.14 was the standard for a while. Fast swimmer and a great guy.

vidi
Reply to  Frank C.
8 years ago

Cullen Jones?

Assistant
Reply to  Frank C.
8 years ago

Tar hole… Can’t be happy for other people’s success…

Assistant
Reply to  Frank C.
8 years ago

And Frank, didn’t you retire a long time ago?

Attila the Hunt
8 years ago

Coach Holloway is doing excellent excellent job in NC state.
If I were a recruit, I’d seriously consider swimming for the school

ACC Fan
Reply to  Attila the Hunt
8 years ago

Again, nothing against Holloway as he has done a great job at the helm, but I believe the sprinters are coached by Todd Desorbo. If I was a school looking for a Head Coach right now, he would be in at the top of the list. If he leaves, I would think that would cause some “instability” in the long-term success of NC State.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
8 years ago

And he has a serious margin of improvement before Rio like Dressel and the others guys …Bodes well for a serious 400 free relay .

R&R
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
8 years ago

What do you mean? Because he is young / new? Because he didn’t finish well (he seemed to have Dressel beat)?

Jenna
Reply to  ERVINFORTHEWIN
8 years ago

Oooooh, GOLD!!!

Porkchop2244
8 years ago

Great performance. Great athlete.

He sums up what NC State has become. Top recruits really need to consider this program. Shows you the value of coaching. A team that was bottom of ACC putting kids on Olympic teams and winnings ACC relays.

ACC has a shot to become a real powerhouse.
If FSU can get a great hire, and if UNC will finally come to their senses and hire Yuri. Louisville also getting it done. So is UVA, despite the haters. Just need FSU and UNC to step up.

ACC Fan
Reply to  Porkchop2244
8 years ago

Todd Desorbo leaves that program for a head coaching job – which I am surprised people are not begging him to – then that void could cause a hiccup in that program. He is the sprint coach correct? And not an alum……..

Southern Mom
Reply to  Porkchop2244
8 years ago

Looking at the results, the UVA women have done OK, and obviously Smith is outstanding. Isn’t the distance coach Corey? Kaitlyn Jones has also had many good swims. Who coaches the mid distance people? The men haven’t done anything remarkable and it’s like a revolving door on that team. NC State has seen such good results over the last two years. FSU has been in trouble. Bradley blew that opportunity as Head Coach at his alma mater. Braden has capitalized on his chance, and he hired an amazing staff too. They are intense, but they get results. UNC has done little except for Stephanie Peacock. Bernardino leaving UVA was a huge loss to the program. Look at what he has… Read more »

Hina
8 years ago

The diamond over the heart is a team “secret.” Every alumni from the swim team knows what it means, not even Coach Holloway knows 🙂

swimdoc
Reply to  Hina
8 years ago

Pretty sure it means “if this is a sprint, I’m gonna kick your ass.”

Swammer00
Reply to  Hina
8 years ago

Coach Holloway was alumni there soooo…..

bobo gigi
8 years ago

Cool to see new faces.
His best time before the meet was 49.17 swum last summer when he won the B-Final of US nationals.

Laptop
8 years ago

Full diamond means full taper

Years of Plain Suck
8 years ago

Nice, honest interview. I’m happy for the dude. Question: what does the “diamond” tattoo over his heart signify? Or was something there before and the diamond covers it up? Anyway, best wishes to him in Rio!

Chris
Reply to  Years of Plain Suck
8 years ago

Seems like it was a team thing at NCAAs that they were very secretive about, wasn’t it?

swimdoc
Reply to  Years of Plain Suck
8 years ago

Loved how he emphasized his college team. And that, ladies and gentleman from overseas, is why NCAAs even in the “small pool” is so important. Compare NCAA men’s champs and runners up to the Olympic roster, and it makes a pretty good case for what we’re doing in the U.S.

Steve Nolan
Reply to  Years of Plain Suck
8 years ago

They’re big Shirley Bassey fans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFSAWiTJsjc

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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