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Nathan Adrian, who won the men’s 100-meter freestyle at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Mesa, Arizona this weekend with a time of 48.84, speaks about the recent training leading up to his performance, Caeleb Dressel, and the competitiveness of US swimming.
When asked whether or not he was satisfied with his swim, he laughed in classic Adrian fashion and said what any swimmer would say: “I wanted to go faster. I would have wanted to go faster even if I went 47 low – that’s just the nature of the sport.” In regards to his training, he mentioned how he is reaping the aerobic benefits of last year’s yardage and a recent trip to Colorado Springs, but is looking forward to getting his speed back.
Speaking of speed, he discusses Dressel’s impressive NCAA performance and praises his flexibility and explosiveness as the gold standard in our sport, saying “the sky is the limit” for the UF senior. Adrian, who attends men’s NCAA’s every year with other Cal alumni, spoke on his former team’s still-close bond and the camaraderie of such an event that can bring the swimming world together.
Lastly, when asked about Tokyo 2020, Adrian noted the elite competitiveness of our country’s swimming, at both the junior and senior level, and how that puts the US at a high standard for international competition, making every elite swimmer fight for their spot. He explained how this hunger and drive to succeed produces amazing athletes with whom he is honored to compete.
Adrian will compete in the 50-meter freestyle on Saturday.
