Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS
By Erin Keaveny, Swimming World College Intern
On August 18, Caeleb Dressel will be celebrating his 20th birthday in Rio. He’ll be making a splash at his first Olympics in the 100 free and 4×100 relay. Dressel is part of the group of young swimmers redefining the face of USA Swimming, and he’s a force to be reckoned with. Here are a few reasons to keep an eye on the lightning fast Caeleb Dressel…
1. Dressel comes from a family of swimmers.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
He has three siblings who all swim, and his father, Michael, swam for Delaware. He’s easy to pick out on the pool deck thanks to his shoulder tattoo featuring an eagle and American flag. It’s fitting that someone who has such a passion for their country get’s the opportunity to represent the place they love in the sport they’re so dedicated to.
2. He’s an animal in short course and his speed is translating well in the long pool.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Dressel has been making big waves since his freshman year at the University of Florida when he won the 50 free at 2015 NCAAs. The next year, Dressel swam an 18.2 in the 50 free and a 40.46 in the 100 free. In both races he broke the American, pool and NCAA records. At those 2106 NCAAs he also clocked in four of the six fastest times in history for a short course 50 free, all in a single day. The other two top times? He has those pocketed too.
3. He’s an explosive competitor.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
When it’s time to race, Dressel knows how to get the job done– always working to get better, to get faster. With the way things are going, Dressel is setting himself up to be the next great American sprinter. Olympic analyst Rowdy Gaines reflected that it’s only “every once in a while an athlete like that comes along and is just magical to watch in the water, and he really is.” It’s hard not to be captivated by his performances in the pool.
4. He almost hung up the goggles after high school.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
It’s insanity to think that Dressel almost quit the sport of swimming after high school. We’re sure glad he didn’t. Dressel is an integral part of a fresh team of American Olympians with goals of gold. No matter what the results are in Rio, something tells me this is far from the last we hear of Caeleb Dressel.
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Chris Spector McPherson, Adam Jackson, Elizabeth Jackson Heaston, Heather Rietz
Good Luck Caleb! We share the same Birthday, fellow Leo. Go get em!!
5th reason – he’s coached by Greg Troy 🙂