The University of Florida has finalized the announcement of their fall signing class, the biggest of which is obviously the class of 2014’s best recruit: Caeleb Dressel.
Florida was a late entry to the race for Dressel’s services, but the Gators apparently wow’ed him enough on his trip to the Swamp last weekend to win him over.
Florida head coach Gregg Troy had some very interesting comments about Dressel’s future, and how he planned to train the young star in the future.
“Caeleb Dressel brings a whole unique skill set,” said Troy, who has built such a strong reputation of training the most versatile swimmers: IM’ers. “He is so skilled in so many different areas. He is not just a sprinter; he’s a really good swimmer. We’ve never had someone as versatile with that same speed component to start with.”
“Obviously, having a sprinter of his caliber coming in is a big plus for us,” Troy continued. “He swims so many different things and is tremendously versatile. I think the big thing is that his skill set is humongous. We will refine that skill set in a lot of different areas. There is no need to label him as a sprinter. He’s not a sprinter, not a backstroker and not a flyer. He is just an overall incredible swimmer with a tremendous speed component. He has a lot of areas where he can add his speed to.”
He joins a class of 8 announced swimmers, men and women combined, at Florida. That list includes Ben Kennedy from Virginia, who is the son of former Gator great Patrick Kennedy, who was on the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team and placed 8th at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
The full list includes Ben Kennedy, John Farese, Geoffroy Gagnon (diver), Andrew Brady, Chelsea Lawson, Paige Scheriger and Mark Szaranek.
Caeleb Dressel is the 100 free junior world champion!!!!
He has swum 48.97 and he’s only 17!
His sprint future is bright.
Train him for the 50 free, the 100 free and the 100 fly. It’s enough like that!
Where is the need of trying other events? Why do you always look for another Michael Phelps?
He could perhaps become a good all-around swimmer, no doubts about that, but at the same time he should say goodbye to his 100 free olympic gold medal dreams. You can’t make both. Just my opinion. And I don’t talk about college here but rather with an international perspective in long course.
Your opinion is just that – your opinion. Troy obviously will him into the great all around swimmer that he basically already is…saying goodbye to his gold? Who says he can’t get that along with having a few good 2 IMs in his college career? Big picture Bobo, there is more to swimming than just the Olympics. really
It would be a shame not to train him to be a 200 IM’er, in addition to the
50/100/200 free. Of course the 100 fly is another event he should pursue.
Who says he won’t be able to go a 0:52 in the 100 yard breast before graduating
college? A 0:45 100 back? First man to go 0:43 in the 100 fly? Imagine how good his 200 IM will be.
Let’s not forget that this kid is 17 or 18. He’s a kid. Regardless of how fast he’s been in the 50, he’s a kid who is still (hopefully) developing. If his goal is to be a great Olympic Swimmer, he’s in a great spot. Most US Olympians are in their early-mid 20s. Who knows how he develops – and into which events he develops. In 2016 is he going to be able to beat Adrian or Irvin in the 50? Doubtful. Can he develop enough to make the 400 and/or 800 free relay by then. I’d say there’s a much better shot there. Is there any doubt that a few years under Troy and company may carry him to… Read more »
I think we’re misinterpreting what Troy is saying. I believe he is referring to that Caeleb is not just a freestyle sprinter, that he is capable to also swim fly/back/breast really fast. I don’t think Troy is saying that he needs to branch out and start swimming the 200 fly/400IM/500/Mile.
He’s clearly a sprinter. He’s really good at butterfly and especially freestyle, but he is much better at distances 200 and under. His 200 free is really good, but not as mind-boggling as his 100 and 50. Maybe Troy sees something in him that could be developed, but it is not based on his achievements so far.
IMO, there are too many people trying to be good at everything like Michael Phelps was (is?). Katie Hoff tried to do it, and only succeeded at the World’s level (nothing to sneeze at) but failed miserably at the Olympics. Lochte tried to do it and had some success, but by all measure failed to achieve what he wanted to do in London. Phelps is a once in a hundred years (if not more) swimmer. If Hoff and Lochte would have narrowed their range, I think they could have fared better in the Olympics…I believe the same applies to Mr. Dressel. He is obviously very special, and if I were him, I would be shooting to be the best 50/100/200… Read more »
” Lochte tried to do it and had some success…”
Really? Just SOME success. Damn – you must be Michael. Cuz I don’t know anyone else who can label what Ryan did just SOME success – other than the non-swimming public.
Read the next phrase. “Some success” is appropriate in comparison to what he wanted to accomplish.
Hm IMs I don’t know the US is saturated with great IMers but Caleb is perfect for the 50-200m FR so many upcoming international freestyle swimmers I really think Caleb could give them a run for their money he needs to zone in on freestyle so he doesn’t fall behind the best
I think there is something to be said for finding your niche and making the most of it though. If you can be truly great in two or three events or just really good in a bunch I think you have to choose specialization.