2018 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, July 25 – Sunday, July 29, 2018
- William Woollett Aquatics Center, Irvine, CA
- Prelims 9 AM / Finals 6 PM (U.S. Pacific Time)
- Meet website
- Meet information
- Event Order
- Full selection procedures
- Psych Sheet
- SwimSwam Previews Index
- TV Schedule
- Pick ‘Em Contest
- Omega Results
- Live Stream
- Friday Finals Heat Sheet
Reported by Lauren Neidigh.
MEN’S 100 FLY:
- World Record: Michael Phelps, 49.82, 2009
- American Record: Michael Phelps, 49.82, 2009
- Championship Record: Michael Phelps, 50.22, 2009
- U.S. Open Record: Michael Phelps, 50.22, 2009
- GOLD: Caeleb Dressel– 50.50
- SILVER: Jack Conger– 51.11
- BRONZE: Michael Andrew– 51.68
- FOURTH: Jack Saunderson– 51.88
If there were any questions about Caeleb Dressel at this meet, he put them to rest tonight. Dressel, who finished 6th in the 100 free earlier in the meet and took a narrow loss to Michael Andrew in the 50 fly, busted through the back half here to get the job done. Dressel is now on the Pan Pacs team, winning with the 10th fastest American performance ever in 50.50. That’s 3 tenths faster than he was last summer, and give how litte he seems to have rested for this, that Phelps World Record is in danger at Pan Pacs.
Jack Conger also finally secured his Pan Pacs spot. He was just a tenth off his lifetime best from march. After tying for 3rd in the 200 fly, Conger can have rest assured that he should make the Pan Pacs squad. After qualifying for Worlds last night with a win in the 50 fly, Andrew may have picked up a Pan Pacs spot here. We cant be 100% sure yet, but he’s in good shape with his lifetime best 51.68 for 3rd place.
Towson’s Jack Saunderson, who swam his lifetime best 51.48 this morning to qualify 1st, was a few tenths shy of that tonight in 51.88 for 4th. Cal’s Tom Shields, who swam both butterflies in Rio, was also sub-52 tonight in 51.94. Shields is out of Pan Pacs after placing 5th in both the 200 fly and 100 fly. Zach Harting, who qualified for Pan Pacs with a 2nd place finish in the 200 fly, clipped his best again tonight for 6th in 52.00.
Congrats Jack!
Big time swim by Saunderson. Lane 4 in a first national final is a very heavy load to bear, especially surrounded by those frothing thoroughbreds. Didn’t panic when he was behind at the turn and threw down another solid time to finish in the mix. We’ll be seeing more of that guy.
It’s hard to overstate how important that swim was for Jack’s career. Looking back, it may be a turning point. He and Dressel know they can hit the reset button and deliver, no matter how disappointing a meet starts out, and that’s a huge confidence builder going forward. Overcoming adversity under mounting pressure is a skill that becomes habit. If I’m relieved to see those guys make the team, I can’t imagine how relieved they are! Nothing’s handed to anyone. Congrats to them both!
Maybe he should start getting focused and stop being so blank
Conger always choked at competitions where it matters. At least the 100 fly performance is satisfying.
Oh yeah, when it came to anchoring relays at NCAAs he always choked. It’s not like he had some of the best chase down performances in recent history
I wouldn’t ever think of Conger when it comes to recent chase down performances….. But he is very very fast 😀
2015 NCAAs 4×100 medley relay? Or is that not recent enough?
look out for this dude in Tokyo……