2016 Trials Throwback: Old Reliable Nathan Adrian Takes 100 Free Ahead of Breakout Star Caeleb Dressel
Each day during the pre-scheduled days of the 2020 US Olympic Trials, Swimming World will take its readers back four years to the 2016 Trials in Omaha to recap each event, and will offer some insight into what the events will look like in 2021.
The 100 freestyle at the Olympic Trials is always one of the most competitive races but one thing has stayed constant since 2008 – Nathan Adrian has been in the top four. Leading into the 2016 Trials, Adrian was the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 100 free and the heavy favorite to lead the U.S. into battle in the 4×100 freestyle relay, which the Americans hadn’t won since 2008.
Anthony Ervin. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Behind Adrian on the psych sheet was a plethora of veterans. Michael Phelps was seeded second but wasn’t expected to factor in to the final six, because he was going to be focusing on the 200 fly final on day four and the 200 IM semifinal on day five. Many believed he didn’t need to swim an 100 free at Trials to prove he belonged on the finals relay team in Rio. 35-year-old Anthony Ervin, 28-year-old Josh Schneider and 31-year-old Matt Grevers were expected to contend for the top four as Ervin’s best shot was likely going to come in the 50 free later, as was Schneider’s. Grevers had finished third in the 100 back and had one final shot to make Rio in the 100 free.
Caeleb Dressel. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
There were also a handful of young stars ready to make their mark. 19-year-old Caeleb Dressel broke the yards American record in March that year in winning the NCAA title. He had established himself as a contender and a potential future face of USA Swimming with his first two years of success at the University of Florida.
18-year-old Maxime Rooney finished ninth in the 200 free and out of the final, and also had his final shot at an Olympic berth in the shorter 100.
There was also a rising star in 21-year-old Michael Chadwick, who was sixth at NCAAs that year for the University of Missouri. He was originally recruited as a breaststroker but broke out as a sprint freestyler and had a legit chance at the team after a 48.8 at a mid-summer meet.
There wasn’t a lot of hype around 20-year-olds Ryan Held and Blake Pieroni, who had just finished their sophomore seasons at N.C. State & Indiana, respectively. Held was fourth at NCAAs in 2016 and was a big relay swimmer for the Wolfpack. Pieroni was 10th but was a better long course swimmer. He missed the final in the 200 free, but if he put together the perfect race in the 100, then a spot on the team was possible. Held was seeded 15th while Pieroni was seeded 23rd.
The Race
Nathan Adrian had advanced to the final at the 2016 Trials with a 47.91 in the semifinals, the only swimmer to break 48. Ryan Held had a major breakout swim in the heats with a 48.46, his previous best being a 49.17, to put himself second. Dressel & Ervin followed with 2012 Olympian Jimmy Feigen also advancing.
Ryan Lochte swam in the heats but scratched out of semifinals, while Chadwick missed the semifinals altogether due to a bad start. Rooney, Schneider and Grevers all missed the final.
In the final, Dressel and Ervin used their raw speed to get to the front of the pack, putting faith in their 50 background to try and steal it from the get-go. Ervin flipped first at 22.37, under American record pace with Adrian in second and Dressel in third. Ervin was the oldest swimmer in the entire field and he was gunning for his third trip to the Games at age 35.
Nathan Adrian celebrating at the 2016 Trials. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Adrian had started to pull away on the third 25 as the field started to swim downhill towards the finish. Ervin was hanging on to every bit of strength he had in the home stretch as Dressel and Held were starting to catch him. Adrian had the race under wraps and there was no doubt he would win as the race was on for second.
Caeleb Dressel. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Adrian touched at 47.72 – the only swimmer to break 48 seconds. Dressel just got his hand on the wall for second with a 48.23 while Held was third at 48.26. The two college swimmers were first-time Olympians as both celebrated with much emotion. Adrian had a fist bump that showed more relief than excitement, knowing he was off to his third Games. His former Cal Aquatics teammate Ervin would be joining him as he finished fourth at 48.54.
Jimmy Feigen (48.57) and Blake Pieroni (48.78) added their names to the Olympic roster with fifth and sixth place finishes.
- Nathan Adrian, 47.72
- Caeleb Dressel, 48.23
- Ryan Held, 48.26
- Anthony Ervin, 48.54
- Jimmy Feigen, 48.57
- Blake Pieroni, 48.78
- William Copeland, 49.12
- Conor Dwyer, 49.13
On to Rio
Adrian, Dressel & Held teamed up with Phelps to win the gold medal in the 4×100 free relay for the first time since 2008 – and the first time internationally since 2009, beating the best from France & Australia in one of the most intense and hyped up races at the Games.
Adrian went on to win the bronze medal in the individual 100 freestyle behind Kyle Chalmers of Australia and Pieter Timmers of Belgium while Dressel was sixth – just 0.17 off the podium.
Dressel has been the number one 100 freestyler in the world the last few years, winning the 2017 & 2019 world titles and moving up to second all-time. He is leading a 100 free field that is deeper than it has ever been as Adrian, Held and Pieroni are in the mix to make the 2021 team.
Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Held, Michael Phelps & Nathan Adrian celebrate the 4×100 free relay gold medal. Photo Courtesy: USA TODAY Sports-USA TODAY Sports
2016 Trials Throwbacks:
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
Day 5: