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
Olympians Cody Miller and Caeleb Dressel were no-shows for prelims of the men’s 50 breast along with National Teamer Will Licon.
Miller, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist in the 100 breast, was the second seed into the event, but didn’t appear for his heat. That comes a day after he scratched finals of the 200 breast after taking 8th in prelims. His final (and best) shot at the U.S. Pan Pacs and World Championships teams will come tomorrow in the 100 breast.
Dressel smashed the American record in the short course 100 breast during this college season, and his unparalleled sheer speed made him an intriguing dark horse in this 50. But Dressel struggled in the 100 free earlier in the meet and hasn’t yet earned a Pan Pacs or World Championships berth. He made finals of the 100 fly this morning and likely scratched the breaststroke to focus on the first of his best two remaining shots at the Pan Pacs team (the second coming with the 50 free on the final day).
Licon finished 3rd in last night’s 200 breast and has an outside shot at a Pan Pacs berth with that swim. He scratched the 50, but should be a factor in the 100 breast tomorrow as well. The other big no-show was 200 breast champ Josh Prenot, though he’s always been more slanted to the longer breaststroke events.
Either Dressel is sick or his coaches missed his taper by a country mile. So far as I can tell the Florida staff ha never made this mistake before. Was Dressel coached directly by Troy when he was still in college? Or was it an assistant coach? Is it possible Troy is not used to coaching him one on one? I’m grasping at straws here. Dressel’s performance makes no sense.
The only surprising scratch here for me is Miller. Is it possible he’s ill? You would think he’d want to do the 50 just to practice in preparation for his 100 breast.
Some blame the suit, others blame Troy for possibly overtraining him and / or not tapering him enough. Whatever the reason, he is being beaten (so far) by a younger kid who trains in a 25 yard pool in his home. Look, in all seriousness, MA races week after week. Dressell does not. A lot of factors are at play as to why CD is not swimming well in this meet, and unless the public is told something b CD’s camp, it will just seem as if MA is the better swimmer this weekend.
25 meter pool actually. Lots of crazy comments about Dressel today. He’s clearly not tapered so not really something to worry about until he actually misses the team. He’ll make it. Mark my words.
Chickens afraid to face and get beaten by MA. A short course swimmer schooling his elders. They should get in the water and make an effort.
Lol. Not sure that’s the reason but MA did say they should be scared. 😜
That’s right! They are all so scared to lose to him…cowards.