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Caeleb Dressel: “These meets are quite miserable when you’re not swimming”

2021 U.S. OLYMPIC SWIMMING TRIALS

Reported by James Sutherland.

MEN’S 100 FREE SEMI-FINALS

  • World Record: 46.91 — Cesar Cielo (BRA), 2009
  • American Record: 46.96 — Caeleb Dressel, 2019
  • U.S. Open Record: 47.39 — Ryan Held (USA), 2019
  • World Junior Record: 47.57 — Andrei Minakov (RUS), 2020
  • 2016 Olympic Champion: Kyle Chalmers (AUS) — 47.58
  • 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Champion: Nathan Adrian — 47.72
  • Wave I Cut: 50.49
  • Wave II Cut: 49.74
  • FINA ‘A’ Cut: 48.57
  1. Caeleb Dressel (GSC), 47.77
  2. Zach Apple (MVN), 47.78
  3. Blake Pieroni (SAND), 48.13
  4. Ryan Held (NYAC), 48.34
  5. Brooks Curry (LSU), 48.51
  6. Bowe Becker (SAND) / Coleman Stewart (WOLF), 48.62
  7. Brett Pinfold (SHAC), 48.73

Caeleb Dressel and Zach Apple took charge of the men’s 100 freestyle semi-finals from the second heat, duking it out stroke-for-stroke down the final few meters before Dressel got his hand on the wall first in a time of 47.77.

Apple took second in 47.78, making them the first two Americans to dip under the 48-second barrier in the 2020-21 season. They now rank fifth and sixth in the world, respectively.

Apple was also less than a tenth off his personal best time of 47.69, and was far and away the best closer in the field, coming back in a blazing 24.53.

Ryan Held, who paced the prelims this morning in 48.07, touched third in that heat in 48.34, advancing fourth into the final.

Blake Pieroni, fourth in this event at the 2019 World Championships, easily topped the first semi in 48.13, dipping .01 under his season-best set in the prelims.

Brooks CurryBowe BeckerColeman Stewart and Brett Pinfold round out tomorrow’s finalists—four names without much major international experience.

Most notably missing the final was three-time Olympian Nathan Adrian, who finished 13th overall in 48.92 after going 48.37 in the heats.

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Betting on Bowe
3 years ago

Probably going to get big downvotes, but don’t sleep on Bowe Becker. Dude shows up when its time and he’s having a great meet so far.

Also out of curiosity, what happens if there is a tie for 6th in the final? I understand that it’s very unlikely to happen again, but the tie in semi’s makes me curious.

Old Retired Guy
3 years ago

The time that I remember (and you didn’t have to wait long for it) was…………………..17.6

GATOR CHOMP 🐊
3 years ago

Then stop scratching events

Dressel will come 3rd in 100 free
Reply to  GATOR CHOMP 🐊
3 years ago

Dunno why this has dislikes. It’s true tbh.

dresselgoat

Says the person who never swam a meet above sectionals in their life.

GATOR CHOMP 🐊
Reply to  dresselgoat
3 years ago

No shame in that.

Khachaturian

please call them downvotes

Relay Enthusiast
3 years ago

If Caeleb doesn’t go sub 47.5 and the US only gets 2-3 47 swims they are gonna be in a real battle with Russia come Olympics. People just assumed Dressel would go 47.0, Held 47.3, Apple and Pieroni 47’s. Russia have Kolesnikov, Minakov, Grinev (all 47’s) and Morozov who went 48.00 this year and can do a 47.5 split.

Russia might have this 4×100.

Notanyswimmer
Reply to  Relay Enthusiast
3 years ago

Finally someone realizes this. Russia should put Shchegolev/Girev/Vekovishchev/Rylov (can also use Zhilkin) in the prelims so that 8 people end up getting gold medals. Unless Kolesnikov gets pianoed from that 100 back semifinal, Russia takes gold.

ddd
Reply to  Relay Enthusiast
3 years ago

Russia is undoubtedly a candidate for the gold medal, but the American team still has a super taper.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  ddd
3 years ago

Correct . They will be adjusting many details with their Coaches during the next few weeks . Nothing is written in gold yet for any team

Dressel will come 3rd in 100 free
Reply to  Relay Enthusiast
3 years ago

Regardless of what the Americans go, it is going to be a battle anyway. Anyone who thought otherwise was kidding themselves. The 4×100 is never wrapped up the way people expect it to go. Beijing and London Olympics didn’t go to the favourites, nor did Shanghai World Champs.

Dudeman
Reply to  Relay Enthusiast
3 years ago

I think everyone’s expectations for times at this meet were too high and bound to leave people worried/disappointed. Dressel historically has always improved from the trials meet to the main event of the season and I see that happening again for him. Lots of Team USA swimmer have said trials is harder and more stressful than the olympics, which is not always conducive to the fastest times (like we’ve been seeing in lots of events all week). The only way we can really see how good they’ll be in Tokyo is to wait and see the first few races in 6 weeks time

dresselgoat
Reply to  Relay Enthusiast
3 years ago

You all are like cockroaches. Jackshit is won on paper.

Last edited 3 years ago by dresselgoat
Togger
3 years ago

Caeleb reppin the pre-workout

Coach
3 years ago

Is there anyway you could transcribe these videos?
I know it’s extra work but id be so so appreciative

Aquatiger
Reply to  Coach
3 years ago

Count me in too. As someone who loves scrolling SwimSwam early in the morning right when I wake up, or mid day in the office with others around, I don’t turn on sound so I don’t bother others. Transcribing even a few important quotes for the written article would be really helpful for me as well.

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