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WATCH: Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky Race 200 Free At Florida vs. Virginia Dual

FLORIDA VS. VIRGINIA

  • Friday, Oct. 13, 2023
  • Stephen C. O’Connell Center
    • Gainesville, Florida
  • SCY (25 yards)
  • Results on MeetMobile: “UF vs. VIRGINIA”

An early-season dual meet showdown between Florida and Virginia got underway on Friday morning in Gainesville, but the college swimmers weren’t the only ones getting some October racing in.

In a USA Swimming sanctioned time trial of the 200 free, members of the Florida pro group got in on the action, most notably American superstars Caeleb Dressel and Katie Ledecky.

Dressel won the race in a time of 1:34.98, just over a second outside of his lifetime best of 1:33.75 set in November 2018. He impressively negative-split the event, opening in 47.51 before closing in 47.47.

Dressel’s Splits:

  • 22.85
  • 47.51 (24.66)
  • 1:11.40 (23.89)
  • 1:34.98 (23.58)

Ledecky edged out Natalie Hinds to finish as the top female in the heat in a time of 1:46.37, with her personal best standing at 1:40.36 from the 2017 NCAA Championships.

Ledecky’s Splits:

  • 25.17
  • 51.95 (26.78)
  • 1:19.27 (27.32)
  • 1:46.37 (27.10)

RACE VIDEO

The heat also featured Mark Szaranek touching 2nd in 1:36.82, Brennan Gravley 3rd in 1:40.78, Hinds at 1:46.65, Bobby Finke swimming backstroke in 1:46.87 and Nina Kucheran racing the 200 IM in 2:13.24. Eric Friese clocked 20.42 for the first 50 of free before cruising the rest of the way.

FULL MEET RECAP

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M L
1 year ago

Easiest 22.8 you’ll ever see

Tony
1 year ago

As an ardent fan, I was a bit worried about Caeleb’s commitment to swimming. But, after this more than respectable performance in a 200, I think he’s getting serious about swimming again. Would love to see the 50 free, 100 free and 100 ly golds get repeated in Paris.

Spectatorn
1 year ago

from the video, seems like Nina Kucheran was doing a 200 Breast instead of 200 IM

iLikePsych
1 year ago

Damn I guess Caeleb was right about Bobby being the slowest out of them plus Katie

PFA
1 year ago

Think Dressel was faster here in his 200 free than his January 2022 yards meet at UF

The Original Tim
1 year ago

Psh, 1:35 in a brief is nothing to write home about. Heck, I was a 1:35 with a drag suit from a push in practice yesterday.

…Sure, I was only at the 143 or so, but still.

Andrew
1 year ago

Dressel beating the washed and Popovicitis allegations. negative splitting a sub 1:35 2 free is no joke

Swim2win
Reply to  Andrew
1 year ago

Popovici got his own allegations to beat at this point

Andrew
Reply to  Swim2win
1 year ago

Yeah. I’ve never seen a world record holder get off so easy after laying an egg all week at worlds

swim4fun
Reply to  Swim2win
1 year ago

Perhaps PANcreatitis?

James Richards
Reply to  swim4fun
1 year ago

Pan didn’t medal in Fukuoka.

More like Chalmeritis.

Remember, he didn’t have to face Chalmers all year last year.

BigBoiJohnson
1 year ago

Sensational

Last edited 1 year ago by BigBoiJohnson
Swimmer.
Reply to  BigBoiJohnson
1 year ago

He would have finished 41st at last years ncaas.

HeatFan14
Reply to  Swimmer.
1 year ago

Ah yes, let’s compare a man who is still getting back in the water at an in season dual meet in a practice suit to men who train their entire season for a particular swim shaved/tapered/suited. Apples to Carrots

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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