U.S. Olympic Trials: Caeleb Dressel Ends Double with 50.79 in 100 Fly Semifinals

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. Olympic Trials: Caeleb Dressel Ends Double with 50.79 in 100 Fly

Three years ago in Tokyo, this was the Dressel Double, in a slightly different order. Then, it was the final of the 100 butterfly and semis of the 50 freestyle.

Friday night in Indianapolis, in the reconfigured Olympic schedule, Caeleb Dressel still was called behind the blocks twice. For all that has happened in the intervening three years since his grand Olympic moment, Dressel still knows how to deliver.

Dressel led the way in semifinals with a time of 50.79 seconds, winning the second heat of two just 30 minutes after sealing an individual spot in the 50 free. His time slots into sixth in the world this year.

“I knew it was one of my toughest nights,” Dressel said. “Not feeling great or anything special, but I just had to gut it out tonight. The 50 free was quick, the 100 fly was quick to make it back. I think I executed well. I’ve got no complaints.”

Dare Rose was second in 51.11 as he bids for his first Olympic team. Zach Harting, winner of the first heat, went 51.16. That’s a best time for him, down from 51.51. Ryan Murphy was fourth.

“I’ve got the old man strength at 26, almost 27, starting to come in,” Harting said. “I don’t have dad strength like Caeleb does. So we’re just making do with old man strength for now. But after Tokyo the last time and going through the trials gauntlet of prelim, semis and finals, the stress of making the team, I think the 200 mentally was burned out a little bit for me and wrapping my mind around that. And the hundred’s just simpler. It’s just down and back. If you look down the pool, you can literally see half of the race. There’s no nonsense that goes on. It’s down, turn and burn. And that’s pretty much it. It’s a lot simpler, elegant.”

Aiden Hayes was fifth in 51.50, with Luke Miller sixth and Thomas Heilman, the 200 free winner, seventh in 51.58. Kaii Winkler grabbed another finals spot for the teen beat in eighth.

Dressel started the night by winning the 50 free in 21.41. Already on the team in the 400 free relay, Dressel is vying for a second individual event and another busy night in Paris.

For most of the rest of the field, this is do-or-die time for the plane. Rose, who made worlds for the first time in 2023, is looking for his Olympic spot. As is Harting, a Rio Olympian in the 200. Hayes and Miller are both up-and-comers from NC State.

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