The men’s 100 freestyle featured an array of talent, led by a couple of Olympians, but even more than the women’s race, it was about who wasn’t in the final at U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
The men’s 100 freestyle was Caeleb Dressel-less after he finished 29th in the prelims in his return. Meanwhile, Olympian and NCAA champion Brooks Curry was in the B final.
It left Ryan Held, Drew Kibler, Justin Ress, and a lot of talented swimmers whose best swims have been in short-course yards.
None of them were in the top three.
Cal’s Jack Alexy won the event in 47.93 to hold off a surging Chris Guiliano from lane 1. The Notre Dame swimmer was just behind in 47.98 to finish second.
“This morning, I had my best time by far and tonight, I just wanted to take the first 50 out and put my head down and bring it home,” Alexy said. “I thought I got 3-4 when I finished. I was hurting really hard the last few meters. There are a lot of college guys stepping up.”
Alexy had a great season in yards at Cal, but said he was expecting to have a faster summer and it started with winning at U.S. Nationals.
“I consider myself a better long-course swimmer, definitely, so I am more confidence. But I had a great training block after NCAAs at Cal. My whole freshman year, adjusting to college life and college training was really tough. Everyone at Cal is very supportive and helps us achieve success.”
This was also the biggest swim of Guiliano’s career.
“This morning, I was out in lane 8 and I couldn’t see anyone coming home. I think being in lane 1 really helped me coming home. You just have to get your hand on the wall, and it worked out in my favor,” Guiliano said. “I had a good yards season and I just believed in myself. I knew what I could do and that I had a great training cycle. Coming in, I knew I had a great shot. This has been a dream come true, but now each goal gets higher and higher. Coming into this meet, I didn’t break 49, so to get a 47 is amazing. The last 15 meters, I was able to switch up some things and drive to the finish … I am here. I don’t want this (feeling) to go away.”
Matt King finished third in 47.99, followed by Cal’s Destin Lasco (48.00) and Ryan Held (48.08).
Ress (48.18), Macguire McDuff (48.24) and Kibler was eighth (48.42).
Curry won the B final at US Nationals in 48.26.
Dressel went 49.6 in the C final.
