Anthony Ervin Sprints to Front of 50 Freestyle in Semifinals

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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This morning youth led the three veterans in the 50 freestyle. Caeleb Dressel took the top seed in 21.76 while Nathan Adrian, Cullen Jones, and Anthony Ervin followed.

Ervin blasted through the water in tonight’s opening semifinal with a 21.55. That time moves him to third in the world rankings, and was .25 faster than his prelims swim. Adrian touched second to Ervin in 21.60.

Cullen Jones blasted to the top of the second semifinal with a 21.93. That swim was third overall tonight. Jimmy Feigen put up the fourth best time of the semifinals with a 22.02.

Dressel could not quite summon this morning’s speed as he was fifth in 22.04.

Swimming in lane one, Dillon Vivra got third in the first semifinal with a 22.06. He’ll return in sixth.

Michael Chadwick continued to bounce back from his 100 freestyle swim to finish seventh in 22.11.

William Copeland and Josh Sneider both finished in 22.13, as the eighth fastest swimmers. The 30 and 28 year old veterans will have to swim off for the final spot in tomorrow night’s final.

Paul Powers of Michigan finished in 22.17, out of the running for a third swim.

Michael Andrew (22.22), Bowen Becker (22.31) Payton Sorenson (22.37), Ryan Held (22.54), and David Williams (22.66) also swam in tonight’s semifinals.

John Murray was disqualified for a false start.

SWIM OFF UPDATE: Schneider won the swim off with a significant improvement from his swim done 90 minutes earlier. He touched in 21.84. That was the third fastest time of the night, keeping his Olympic dream alive. Copeland finished in 22.09, also faster than his earlier swim. If he would have gone that time earlier, Copeland would have entered tomorrow’s final in seventh.

Photo Courtesy: Omega Timing

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