Coming off 4×100 relay Olympic gold last summer, Ryan Held is kicking it up a notch. His NC State teammates fed off his energy from the Rio Olympics and have been bringing it hard in practice all fall and winter.
We’ve all learned to respect Wolfpack Coach Braden Holloway, the 2013, 2015 and 2016 ACC Coach of the Year. Holloway lead the men’s team to 4th at the 2016 NCAA Champs, and he delivered Held to us in gold medal form last summer. Rank Holloway for me. What do you think, because I think this coach is among the top-5 on earth.
For Ryan, stepping it up means NCAA titles, but Olympic relay teammate Caeleb Dressel stands in his way.
What will it take to win the 100 (and 50) yard free at the 2017 NCAA Championships? Are you Team Held or Team Dressel? I think the sprint frees are Dressel’s in March, but Ryan Held is a huge talent, and like Coach Holloway and his NC State crew, you cannot count them out.
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AB
“Great Kid”
Until everyone in the men’s final 50 and 100 free field can match the start of Caeleb Dressel…game over. Look at the videos. Everyone in the field is at least a half body length or more behind after the start. And in a 50 or 100 free swimming against Caeleb Dressel…that’s the race.
I like this guy – well poised , intelligent , motivated and talented !! Usa sprinting is in good hands for the years to come . With Dressel , the battle will be ferocious in a few weeks .
It’s hard to touch an 18.2 flat start 50 but I would give Held a chance in the 100. If Caeleb’s a bit off his game, I wouldn’t put 40-mid out of Ryan’s reach.
I would
He can “aim” for whatever he wants… but NO way he will win. As far as ranking Holloway…. (and call me a pessimist, or hater…whatever), but I feel like he will follow the same path as Marsh as far as he will leave the NCAA right when the investigations begin…
I see your following in the footsteps of our president by just saying things with no backing at all.
Must you get political??? This is a swimming site not a political battleground.
hey , it was just a good example …..no Politics involved at all . Evolve dude ….evolve
I’ll call you a pessimist and a hater. Always appreciate reading comments like yours -NOT!!
Yes I’ll call you a hater. Quit the insulting remarks. The swimmers and coaches just want to get on with racing. Who wins on the day is down to talent, form and sometimes a bit of luck. As far as commentary and speculation is concerned, you’d best leave that to the grown ups.
No insults there pal… just my opinion based on similar past history. and Grown ups?? really?!?! so by studying the trends and history and coming to that conclusion that (more often than not) these “meteoric rises” are too good to be true is not grown up enough for you? Honestly, I hope I am wrong. The worst that can happen if I am is that American sprinting just got a lot better in a legit way. I’ll take that. But for now, I have my doubts about the program and see a very similar parallel to the Auburn program of the mid to late 2000’s, and I am not backing down from my comments for now.
So no evidence then… not 6 some years of hard work, change of coach, philosophy, hiring and inspired recruiting… that can’t be it. Has to be something nefarious. ‘I hope I’m wrong’ – please- I can practically hear your excited hand wringing from here. Oh, and I’m not your ‘pal’.
I will call u a nihilist for nothing even looking at what truly matters . By the way , what’s the matter with you ? swimming passion is gone or got poisoned ?
Will Held beat Dressel in 50 and 100? No I don’t think so at all. However, I do believe if Dressel isn’t on his game come NCAA’s Held will be right there ready to take it. Its definitely going to be close
I’m sorry, I just don’t see anybody topping Dressel right now barring a disaster on Dressel’s part or misfortune (sickness, injury, etc.)
I think Dressel has to be at his best, Helds been putting up insane swims this season.
Well, people keep thinking the post-Olympic year is really slow, but too many college Olympians have been swimming well to support that. Dressel will be fine. I think he’s just really focused right now and doesn’t need to be making any noise. There’s no need to.
Except for Santo 19.53 and 43.23 at the Texas invite yeesh
Condorelli is the biggest question mark in NCAA and yards competition.
@DaveSalo what you doin man? 18 high and 41 should be EASY for a guy going 47 LCM…
Helds Duel meet times this season: 19.47,19.49,19.51,19.34
Helds Invite times: 19.17, 19.09relay
Dressel Duel meet times:19.56, 19.68, 19.21, 19.08
Dressel Invite times: 19.28, 18.73relay
It it obvious Dressel is swimming much faster right now. These are just the facts
Look what you posted It’s not obvious. Check your facts.
when say relay I mean leadoff on the relay
I agree Dressel is in the driver seat. Held should be close. I too am pleased you did this article on a great kid and great coach. Also glad neither Held nor Dressel is being baited into making “predictions”. Let their swimming do the talking.