Shaine Casas Breaks Another U.S. Open Meet Record Out of B-Final With 51.03 100 Fly

by Riley Overend 23

December 01st, 2023 National, News, Records, U.S. Open

2023 U.S. OPEN SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Five men went under the decade-old U.S. Open meet record in the 100-meter butterfly (51.65 by Tom Shields in 2013) on Thursday night, but the fastest one didn’t come out of the A-final.

Yes, Shaine Casas did it again, blazing a 51.03 out of the B-final for his second U.S. Open meet record in as many nights after qualifying 9th in prelims this morning (52.24). He was out in 23.60 at the halfway mark — no other swimmer in either the A- or B-final was under 24 seconds — and back in 27.43.

On Thursday night, Casas also broke the meet record out of the B-final in the 200 IM with a time of 1:56.06. The 23-year-old turned pro after his junior season at Texas A&M, joining the pro group at the University of Texas under head coach Eddie Reese.

Casas was .63 seconds off his personal-best 50.40 from last July, but he was .39 seconds faster than his time from this year’s U.S. Trials (51.42) in June. His time tonight would have placed him 5th at Worlds this year. His struggles with inconsistency are a concern, of course, but there’s no denying his superstar potential remains promising heading into the Paris 2024 Olympic year.

MEN’S 100-METER BUTTERFLY – FINALS

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

In the A-final, seven-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel rallied from 6th place at the halfway point to secure a victory in 51.31, just a hair ahead of rising Canadian star Ilya Kharun (51.32). Dressel tore home with a field-best 26.89 2nd 50 and was the only man in the field sub-27 on the back half.

Kharun, an Arizona State freshman, was just a tenth of a second off his personal best from Worlds this year, where he placed 9th in the semifinals (51.22) and missed the final by just .05 seconds. Fellow Canadian Josh Liendo was close behind with a 3rd-place finish in 51.42 while Kharun’s ASU teammate, Hubert Kos, also reached the wall under Shields’ old U.S. Open record with a 4th-place effort of 51.59.

Canadian-turned-Italian-turned-American swimmer Santo Condorelli placed 5th in 51.90 after leading the field at the midway point of the race (24.03).

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Cometlovestreats
6 months ago

Casas is just an enigma. A lot of talent but issues between his ears. I am sure he realizes that this won’t work at the trials where there are heats and semis.

Swimz
6 months ago

It doesn’t matter how fast you are, if you are inconsistent…
This is not a time to be happy Cases…be serious!!! If you want to make the Olympic team 24 you have to give your all to get select for the A final without underestimating others!.hope you will make the team..good luck!!

Last edited 6 months ago by Swimz
Austinpoolboy
6 months ago

Speaking of interviews. Anyone else watch his interviews think, this guy is somewhere on ADHD spectrum?

Anonymous
Reply to  Austinpoolboy
6 months ago

Is there someone who swims who is not on the ADHD spectrum? It’s kinda the norm I think. And it’s a good thing. Those with ADHD are truly ALIVE!

Erik
6 months ago

Raking in this 9th place tin medals this week, baby!

Swimdad
6 months ago

I guess he’s not a “morning person”…Which is worrisome for a swimmer.

Is there a reward for setting a record?

Swimpop
6 months ago

Do they give out ribbons for 9th place?

David S
6 months ago

Why’s he keep swimming in B finals ?
Less pressure ?

Swimswam follower
6 months ago

I think he was embarrassed about the summer trials
and his hyped interview with Mel. He doesn’t want to talk to anyone, he’s letting his swimming do the talking which is what he should have done all along. Keep training hard and let your swimming do the talking. He’s with one of the greatest coaches ever who believes in him and partially postponed his retirement for him. Make your coach proud and those who are pulling for you.

Summer Love
Reply to  Swimswam follower
6 months ago

I’m not sure that botching easy prelims swims 2 days in a row is an example of “swimming do the talking”

About Riley Overend

Riley is an associate editor interested in the stories taking place outside of the pool just as much as the drama between the lane lines. A 2019 graduate of Boston College, he arrived at SwimSwam in April of 2022 after three years as a sports reporter and sports editor at newspapers …

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