Dressel Cracks Best Time in 200 Free With 1:48.39 in Knoxville

TENNESSEE AQUATICS JUNE INVITATIONAL

After cruising to a 1:54.34 in prelims, Caeleb Dressel dropped the hammer tonight in the men’s 200 freestyle. Dressel swam a new lifetime best to win the event in 1:48.39. Prior to this meet, his best was a 1:48.64 from 2013 Summer Junior Nationals. This is Dressel’s 2nd best time of the weekend after his 48.7 in the 100 free last night, and bodes well for the upcoming Olympic Trials.

The men’s 100 fly was also tonight, but Dressel opted out of swimming it in finals after clocking a 55.17 in prelims. Bryce Bohman won that event in 53.80. On the women’s side, U.S. Olympian Claire Donahue took the win in 59.06.

Alia Atkinson won the women’s 100 breast handily in 1:06.48. Behind her, Molly Hannis swam a 1:07.72 for 2nd. Jorge Murillo Valdes didn’t match his 1:01.46 from prelims, but still managed to win the men’s 100 breast in 1:01.71.

Elizabeth Beisel and Megan Romano battled closely in the 200 free, with Beisel swimming a faster back half to take the event win in 2:00.74. Romano wound up 2nd in 2:01.22.

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TAA
8 years ago

He swims a lot of races at NCAAs with all the relays and prelims. Not worried whatever they decide but I’d like him to take the 5th or 6th relay spot in the 200 cause I am not a big fan of bringing relay only swimmers. Secondly, I dont know if he is really competing for a gold here. I think his window for 50m gold is Tokyo. So if he accepted that he should really train for the 100 to help usa out with all the relays and work to get his 100 under 48.

tm71
8 years ago

i hope his coach doesn’t have him swim the fly or breast. not opposed to the 200 free to get on the relay but his main events are the 50 and 100 free

Markster
8 years ago

Does anyone know if hes wearing a practice suit this meet? If so, that 48.7 is amazing.

swimswammer
Reply to  Markster
8 years ago

Yes, but only if he practices in a tech suit

pvdh
8 years ago

is he doing to 200 at trials? I think he could get around 1:46 flat with a taper and get a relay spot

bobo gigi
Reply to  pvdh
8 years ago

He has enough to do in the 50 and the 100 free.
If you want to beat a fresh Manaudou in the 50 free in Rio, you can’t disperse your energy in too many events before.

Skoorbnagol
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

Yeah but if ur the saviour of the 4×100 and beat the French (I know you’ll like that !!) and then swim 1.45.5 on the relay and win 2 golds before the 50free think of the momentum and confidence and you know Florida will have pre pared him for that.

pvdh
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

true. however 4×200 is almost certainly a gold medal if he is able to put himself on the relay.

Irish Ringer
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

Is it possible for anyone to swim more than two events in your opinion? I know Manaudou can’t swim fast past 75 meters but I think a Floirda swimmer puts in more yardage and can handle it.

Smoothswimmer
Reply to  Irish Ringer
8 years ago

Messr. Gigi is correct.
If Dressel wants to beat Manaudou, he needs to be as fresh as possible, and that means no dabbling in 200 and no relay duty!
Swimmers need to be as fresh as possible to perform their best and win golds!
Dressel needs to peak for Rio, he needs to target his taper for Rio only and he must be fresh in Rio!

Skoorbnagol
Reply to  Smoothswimmer
8 years ago

Not buying that, no one in 2004 was like phelps should pull out of 200free and 4x100free relay and maybe 200 or 400 im to be fresh to beat Crocker in 100fly. Who at the time was current world champ and beat phelps at trials. I think dressel can beat manadou and do both relays. And I’m not American (or French)

Mikeh
Reply to  bobo gigi
7 years ago

I agree. Why expend yourself to do a 1:46 in the 200 and miss the podium, when you can do what you’ve really trained for and go a 21.3/47.5 and win the 50 and 100 (theoretically)?

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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