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After qualifying in a tie for first out of prelims it was 19-year-old Michael Andrew who got his hand on the wall first tonight, becoming the first American male to grab a roster spot for the 2019 World Championships. The teenager bested the field with a 22.93, his first swim under 23 seconds in the event and just ahead of Caeleb Dressel, who was second in 22.97.
Andrew’s swim was less than two-tenths off of Dressel’s American record and just .02 off of Bryan Lundquist’s U.S. Open record from 2009. Andrew’s swim did establish a new meet record, breaking Dressel’s 23.05 from last summer’s meet.That is Andrew’s first major international roster spot for a long course meet, although he will still have to finish in the top 4 in an Olympic event later in the meet if he wants a spot on the Pan Pacs roster.
In third in the final was Chatham Dobbs (23.38), while fourth went to Giles Smith (23.64). In fifth was John Shebat (23.69), while Ryan Held (23.70) and Jack Saunderson (23.70) both tied for sixth. Rounding out the final was Tate Jackson (23.77).
Great race!!
Way to go Michael!
Oliver Mackin
Race pace
Congratulations