First, in prelims, the 15-16 boys’ National Age Group Record in the 50 free went down in a big way to Caeleb Dressel. Then in the B Final, Michael Andrew br0ke the National Age Group Record in the 13-14 boys’ 50 free. Both received a ton of chatter and discussion, as rightfully they should: both are very exciting results.
But nobody seems to be talking about the other 50 free record that went down on Friday: Bolles’ Santo Condorelli, a teammate of Dressel’s and a USC commit, won the 50 free in 22.32. That not only won the Junior National title, but it broke the 17-18 National Age Group Record that was held by current Cal All-American Shayne Fleming, who was a 22.47 in 2009.
Note that Vlad Morozov is the fastest member of USA Swimming as a 17-18, with a 22.13, but as he’s not eligible to represent the United States, he couldn’t break this record.
And so Bolles is again showing off their incredible run of success with men’s sprinters. Condorelli’s best time coming into the final was just 22.71, so not only did he come from just an ‘average’ (for him) prelims swim to win, but he made a huge improvement. He springboarded off of a B-Final win at the World Championship Trials to this swim, perhaps showing off the value for young swimmers of holding B-Finals at those World Championship Trials.
Granted, his teammate Dressel is already just .07 seconds away from the record, and until this final had the fastest American Junior time in history, so this record may not survive another year. Still, it will give USC an enormous amount of anticipation next year, even with Morozov going pro early.
The top 5 17-18 Americans in history:
1. Santo Condorelli, 22.47
2. Shayne Fleming, 22.47
3. Jack Conger, 22.69
T-4. Ryan Hamni, 22.71
T-4. Paul Powers, 22.71
Congrats to Condorelli! But he can thank Dressel for swimming a 100 free time trial and especially a 200 IM just before the 50 free final. It looks like Caeleb Dressel was in Irvine more for the times than the gold medals. Where is the use for him of swimming a 200 IM B-Final, especially in 2.14, just before his 50 free final apart from ruining his chances? Sometimes, I don’t understand anything.
Agree! He obviously wasn’t planning to swim the 200 IM final fast, so why not scratch all together? Maybe he thought the warm-up would do him good or he didn’t think too much ahead and failed to scratch within the 30 minute window after prelims.
You’re right. But the talent is there. Will they continue to improve as well in NCAA? That’s the question.
Look at the guys on the list who have peaked and are done. There is no guarantee that Condorelli, Conger, and Dressel will continue their improvement and be a factor for Rio. Way to early for hyperbole, as Bobu suggests.
You make a valid point, but at the same time, this is great for the future of sprinting. As long is the leader is just a tad bit ahead, swimmers will continue to push each other to become the next leader, continuously raising the bar and making the group faster and faster.
Wow! The state of American men’s sprint didn’t look good for the future until last year with a lack of new talents. But since London everything has changed. With Conger, Dressel, Condorelli, Feigen and Adrian the US squad for Rio looks stronger than ever.
I donpt know if they will be ready for Rio already.. and beating Adrian Feigen Jones and Ervin at Trials is not so easy..
huh? Adrian won last year.