An extremely-polite Caeleb Dressel told media members tonight that he’s not shaved for the 2016 Southeastern Conference Championships. Dressel powered his way to a stunning back-to-back 18.39 and 18.23 in the 50-yard freestyles for the NCAA and American records in Missouri.
Original 50 free report:
Florida’s Caeleb Dressel made a 17-point 50-yard freestyle start to come into view for the entire sprinting community as he stunned the swimming world with an 18.23 NCAA and American record during finals of the men’s 50-yard free at the 2016 Southeastern Conference Championships.
Dressel, who first blasted an 18.39 this morning during prelims to break the NCAA and American record, took that time even lower with a scorching 18.23.
Dressel, who blasted his way to a sizzling 23.43 breaststroke split for Florida en route to the Gators winning the SEC title in the 200-yard medley relay with a 1:23.69 last night, pounced on the 50-yard free this morning with a sizzling 18.39.
That prelim swim completely wiped out Nathan Adrian’s American record of 18.66 set back in 2011 in Minneapolis, while also undercutting Cesar Cielo’s 2008 NCAA mark of 18.47 set in Federal Way. Incidentally, he also thumped the previous pool record of 19.24 set by Jimmy Feigen with Texas back in 2009.
Heading into today, Dressel’s previous best time had been an 18.67 at the 2015 NCAA Men’s Championships. He’s now cleared 19 seconds a total of 10 times since first breaking the barrier as a precocious junior swimmer with an 18.94 relay leadoff at the 2013 Speedo Winter Junior Nationals.
The big question now is whether head coach Gregg Troy follows through on his pre-season promise to shave his mustache if Dressel posted an 18.39.
During a pre-season Q&A held by Florida Athletics, Dressel started the following exchange:
“Caeleb Dressel: What time would you take in a 50 free for you to shave your mustache?
GT: Short course 18.39 / Long course 20.89.”
Florida Athletics is on record stating that should the shave actually happen, it will make sure it gets plenty of coverage.
Dressel then closed the night with a casual 18.41 split for the Gators during a winning 1:16.46 in the men’s 200-yard free relay.
?
Wow! so Fast!
Joshua Ezekiel Hanson
That’s ridiculous
Jake Fisher Colin MacQuarrie
OH good lord… Braden McCormack Matthew McCormack
17 something in the future?
18.23 unshaved. Crazy
But all his body hair fell off during the race.
Talor Hamilton Richie Matthews Camden Holmes …….he’s not even shaved yet
I love this kid??
I wonder how his 50LCM time is coming along? That’s more important if he wants to make an Olympic run. His turn is better than anyone else in the country in 50 free SCY but no turn in LCM
Good question, I’d like to see him wipe that smug look off Florent Manaudou’s face in the 50 at the Olympics.
I looked at his times but they put the conversion up. He hasn’t cracked 22 in a 50 meter pool in the results I found. He is seeded 2nd in US using the conversion. But it’s the turn where he is beating everyone. Without the turn he needs to work reaction time on his start.
I am not sure where you are looking up results at, but Dressel won Nationals last summer with a 21.53, which ended up being the 4th fastest 50 free LCM time in the world.
His start was pretty impressive in that race. He had a half body lead just coming out of the break out.
But that’s against college kids. He needs to improve reaction time against world champions.
Mike Jones
Great interview. .
And my friend Coach Greg Troy supposedly runs a ‘distance’/400 I’m based program 🙂
you gotta love this guy. and of course he likes the missouri pool!
I just love this kid!! What an humble and respectful young man. Good job!!