2018 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Wednesday, July 25 – Sunday, July 29, 2018
- William Woollett Aquatics Center, Irvine, CA
- Prelims 9 AM / Finals 6 PM (U.S. Pacific Time)
- Meet website
- Meet information
- Event Order
- Full selection procedures
- Psych Sheet
- SwimSwam Previews Index
- TV Schedule
- Pick ‘Em Contest
- Omega Results
- Live Stream
- Thursday Prelims Heat Sheet
The pressure was on after a tie between American Record holder Caeleb Dressel and World Junior Record holder Michael Andrew tied in prelims of the 50 fly. Andrew set the WJR mark last summer at World Juniors, but for the first time at a major meet, Andrew isn’t a junior anymore. The 19-year-old pro, who became the first swimmer to go pro at just 14 years old, lived up to the hype tonight as he earned his first roster spot for a major long course international meet.
Andrew and Dressel were neck-and-neck. It was a toss up at the finish, but Andrew had a slightly better reach, touching in 22.93 to beat Dressel (22.97) by 4 hundredths. That’s a new Championship Record for Andrew, breaking the former mark of 23.05 set by Dressel at 2017 Nationals.
Andrew is now the 3rd fastest American ever in the 50 fly and owns the 4th fastest American performance in history. His former best was a 23.16 from last summer. Dressel’s American Record stands at a 22.76 from semifinals at 2017 Worlds.
Dressel has yet to qualify for Pan Pacs or Worlds at this meet. He finished 6th in the 100 free, one of his main events, on night 1. Though it seems clear that Dressel hasn’t rested much for this meet, his speed tonight bodes well for his Pan Pacs prospects. he should be able to make it in at least the 50 free, and with his 50 fly performance, he may have a pretty good 100 fly in the tank for later on as well.
If I’m not mistaken, as the winner of a non-Olympic event, Andrew is a Priority 3 swimmer for selection to the World Championship team so a spot on the team is not guaranteed.
He is, but there’s virtually no scenario where the non-Olympic event winners don’t get picked up.
Crickets from the MA haters. Maybe they’ll randomly bring up his 100 free (which I admit he needs work on, but he’s killing it elsewhere).
Great swim for MA. He has been racing great all summer. He will win the 100 breast/fly and 50 free. I wouldn’t be suprised if Michael Chadwick qualifies for Pan Pacs in 50 free too.
So happy for him. Can’t wait to see his 100 fly.
The 50s are in continuos evolution, but certainly Michael Andrew is an almost unique specialist, considering every stroke.
In the future he could medal at Worlds in every 50 (in breastroke the most difficult medal to reach); for gold he will have tremendous opponents (Dressel and Proud in the free, Govorov in the fly, Kolesnikov in the back, Peaty in the breast).
I think Fratus will still keep going for quite some time on the 50 free.. at least until tokyo maybe after..
For the 50 Breast Peaty is pretty much unbeatable.. after there is the guys with 26 mid-high… so the competition is fierece.. His biggest medal chance (with the times he is showing right now) would be the 50 back and 50 fly.. (I think Govorov like Sjostrom might never hit the WR again)
But If dressel misses Pan Pac without Fratus he is the favorite to win 50 free There, unless we got some surprises here (Chadwick)? Or guys like Tandy, Spajari puts up a tremendous PB on 50 free..
Peaty was beat in the 50 breast just this summer so I wouldn’t call him “unbeatable”.
Disappointed how few comments on MA articles tonight.
He’s in so many articles, comments are spread across them.
World class time for a 19years-old!Besides 2009(shiny suits) and last year, Andrew time(22.93) would be gold in every edition in 50fly. Despite the naysayers, I think Andrew is going to places…
I’m happy for him, but still holding out hope he can qualify in an Olympic distance/event too.
USA Swimming really has brainwashed people good into thinking only the Olympics matter, even though Worlds are usually faster and have more records set. And the rest of the entire swimming world does 50s of every stroke regularly, but you know.
I’ll never be convinced that 50 strokes are real races, the 50 free is barely a real race
Race:
4 a : a contest of speed
That defines exactly what 50s are.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/race
I don’t know what planet you’re from where the definition of a race is something different.
some guys need to watch more than a 50 to consider it a race …..unfortunately
Go ahead and ask Gary Hall Jr about that. 50’s are the the ultimate test of speed,
The 50 free is an Olympic distance event.
MA….the real deal. What a Race!