It was a rollercoaster week for Shaine Casas.
Headed into the start of the 2023 U.S. National Championships, Casas was a contender in six different events to make the World Championships team, being a top four seed in the 100 free, 50 back, 100 back, 200 IM, and 100 fly. In addition, he was a top ten performer of all-time in both the 100 fly (50.40 PB) and 200 IM (1:55.24 PB) and the defending Worlds bronze medalist in the 200 back.
However, when Nationals began, things didn’t go Casas’ way. First, he finished 18th in the 100 free (48.94) and 13th in the 200 back (1:58.65), missing ‘A’ finals completely in both events. Day three of the meet was a little better for him, as he ‘A’-finaled in both the 100 fly and 50 back, but he still couldn’t get the job done—he placed fifth in the 50 back (24.70) and just missed the Worlds team by getting third in the 100 fly (51.42). What stung the most was that his season-best time of 50.80 in the 100 fly from the Fort Lauderdale Pro Series meet this March would have beaten Thomas Heilman, the actual second-place finisher in the event, by 0.39 seconds.
After Casas scratched the 100 back on day four, it all came down to the 200 IM. At that time, his chances of placing top two seemed bleak—Carson Foster was a heavy favorite to win, and third seed Chase Kalisz had looked considerably better than Casas all meet, having already qualified for Worlds in the 400 IM.
But then the unpredictable happened: on the night before the 200 IM prelims, Kalisz came down with food poisoning and withdrew from the rest of Nationals. Suddenly, Casas had more than a fighting chance at Worlds.
Prelims was difficult. Casas was leading his heat for the majority of his swim, until he slowed down on the homestretch and got out-touched by Trenton Julian, Kieran Smith, and Maximus Williamson. In the end, he took eighth place in prelims to barely squeak into the ‘A’ final—if he swam just 0.17 seconds slower, he would have been out. Headed into finals, the consensus was that Casas had a shot, but that spot for second behind Foster still looked wide open.
The moment of truth for Casas came during Saturday night finals. Foster had established a clear lead from the start, but Casas was battling it out with Julian in lanes 7 and 8. Only 0.1 seconds separated the two at the halfway point, but Casas grew his lead on the back half of his race. In the end, Casas out-touched Julian by 0.37 seconds to finish second with a time of 1:57.47, finally punching his ticket to Fukuoka. After a long week of not being at his best, a series of unprecedented events and a willingness to battle it out to the very finish finally captured the qualification that had been evading him for the last five days.
“I’m so proud of Shaine,” Foster said in his post-race interview. “He’s had a rough week and he’s just kept battling and he gets to go to Worlds…we get to go represent together and hopefully we get on the podium now. He’s gonna reset—the pressure is off now—and hopefully, we do some damage in Japan.”
Even though Casas had a series of near-misses at Nationals, he did end up getting the job done and will be in the 200 IM picture at Fukuoka. When he’s at his best, he’s a medal contender, so what happens in Fukuoka will depend on how he makes use of his opportunity.
Shane is an unbelievable talent! Was he ill, did he miss his taper? We all don’t really know. Been a fan of him from the first time he hit the seen at TEXAS A&M. I’m not sure myself. He is on the team without his best! GIVE HIM PROPS!!!! Michael Andrew wins the 50FLY and doesn’t EVEN make the team! GO FIGURE Swimming fans!!!! You know, most swimmers go through rough times in their careers! Carson Foster had a over par NCAA this year. Murphy dipped a bit for a few years! Katy Ledecky had a few not so on par years. I shouldn’t EVEN have to mention DRESSEL!!! These athletes are human! If they come back, then give them… Read more »
A lot of fuss for a guy who blew his taper.
Tell me why you are so harsh on Shaine. He is truly one of the most talented and versitile American swimmers today! Okay, this meet wasn’t good for him. Do you know for a fact it was because he missed his taper? Are you a former swimmer? We don’t know why. He still made the team not at his best! Michael Andrew won the 50FL and he is staying home. I just want your perspective here! Thank you!
Shane is not prioritizing his recovery imo. He is doing the training, but likely burning it at both ends. Whether that is drinking as suggested here (by others with direct knowledge of his personal life) or something else idk, but the results speak for themselves. It is understandable Shane doesn’t want to give interviews. Antisocial behavior is the first symptom of withdrawl, but you prefer to make excuses for him rather than pick up on not so subtle signs of an issue. Phelps hid his alcoholism for a long time until he got his DUI conviction and came clean. I am a longtime competitive Masters swimmer, swim fan, and have personal experience with addiction issues.
Glad he made it… Was wondering whether he was battling illness, injury, or overtraining syndrome. Even on the podium he was bent over, hands on knees, looking like he was having a hard time catching his breath and getting enough oxygen for half the ceremony. Other two guys were standing tall and looked fine. He was crushing it at Pro Swims a few months ago. Hope he feels well at Worlds and crushes it again.
hope next year he hits his stride at OTs next year. super talented and versatile, can easily land a few medals. got a year to fix whatever went wrong hwre
An intriguing and talented guy that I always find myself compelled to root for despite how he is performing
I wonder if he’s gotta go back up in yardage leading up to worlds and then have a small/drop taper for the meet? The last meet he swam in Austin a week or two before World trials was also pretty bad. Doesn’t seem like it’s a mental thing like everybody’s saying.
He has a massive ego and goes out multiple times a week (drinking). He cut back on his practicing because he believes “you either have it or you don’t”. It’s self inflicted.
Sounds like u hating. He’s a pro and guess what he does have IT
Source?
Me. I’m not doxxing myself on SwimSwam.
My sources have said very similar things. Ask him about his I-35 story. Only people in Austin know. Pretty scar stuff…
Proof of this?
I wanna believe that Shaine is a pro about his career – hell, his SwimSwam podcast interview a year or so ago made it seem like he just likes to settle into a grind and train hard, so it’d be interesting if that isn’t actually true.
It’s more as of recent that this has been an issue. His results kind of speak for themselves. When he’s actually grinding he’s a beast but he’s been side tracked lately.
Self destructive?
Federal agent
Phelps went through a similar stage. He still put up times that were competitive but not his best stuff. I wish Shane the best conquering his demons. I am sure it is not talent or training holding him back.
HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS??? Have you drank with him? Let HE who is without sin CAST THE FIRST STONE!!!!
Prob has the highest ceiling out of the top contenders in the IM besides Marchand but also the lowest floor. He could win the race or miss finals completely and wouldn’t be surprised by either
Difficult week, but makes him an even greater threat in the 200 IM come worlds. Could be a race to remember.