Caeleb Dressel: “No Sir, I’m Not Shaved” (Video Interview)

Photo Courtesy: Swimming World

An extremely-polite Caeleb Dressel told media members tonight that he’s not shaved for the 2016 Southeastern Conference Championships. Dressel powered his way to a stunning back-to-back 18.39 and 18.23 in the 50-yard freestyles for the NCAA and American records in Missouri.

Original 50 free report:

Florida’s Caeleb Dressel made a 17-point 50-yard freestyle start to come into view for the entire sprinting community as he stunned the swimming world with an 18.23 NCAA and American record during finals of the men’s 50-yard free at the 2016 Southeastern Conference Championships.

Dressel, who first blasted an 18.39 this morning during prelims to break the NCAA and American record, took that time even lower with a scorching 18.23.

Dressel, who blasted his way to a sizzling 23.43 breaststroke split for Florida en route to the Gators winning the SEC title in the 200-yard medley relay with a 1:23.69 last night, pounced on the 50-yard free this morning with a sizzling 18.39.

That prelim swim completely wiped out Nathan Adrian’s American record of 18.66 set back in 2011 in Minneapolis, while also undercutting Cesar Cielo’s 2008 NCAA mark of 18.47 set in Federal Way. Incidentally, he also thumped the previous pool record of 19.24 set by Jimmy Feigen with Texas back in 2009.

Heading into today, Dressel’s previous best time had been an 18.67 at the 2015 NCAA Men’s Championships. He’s now cleared 19 seconds a total of 10 times since first breaking the barrier as a precocious junior swimmer with an 18.94 relay leadoff at the 2013 Speedo Winter Junior Nationals.

The big question now is whether head coach Gregg Troy follows through on his pre-season promise to shave his mustache if Dressel posted an 18.39.

During a pre-season Q&A held by Florida Athletics, Dressel started the following exchange:

“Caeleb Dressel: What time would you take in a 50 free for you to shave your mustache?

GT: Short course 18.39 / Long course 20.89.”

Florida Athletics is on record stating that should the shave actually happen, it will make sure it gets plenty of coverage.

Dressel then closed the night with a casual 18.41 split for the Gators during a winning 1:16.46 in the men’s 200-yard free relay.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

22 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Stephen Cornillie

8 years ago

Julie Ellen Neal

8 years ago

Wow! so Fast!

Justin Vergara

8 years ago

Joshua Ezekiel Hanson

8 years ago

Reply to Justin Vergara

That’s ridiculous

Ian Ballantyne

8 years ago

Jake Fisher Colin MacQuarrie

John McCormack

8 years ago

OH good lord… Braden McCormack Matthew McCormack

Dave Hoover

8 years ago

17 something in the future?

Rick Hoffman

8 years ago

18.23 unshaved. Crazy

Dave Milligan

8 years ago

But all his body hair fell off during the race.

Cooper Holmes

8 years ago

Talor Hamilton Richie Matthews Camden Holmes …….he’s not even shaved yet

Kristie Wisniewski

8 years ago

I love this kid??

Kristie Wisniewski

8 years ago

I wonder how his 50LCM time is coming along? That’s more important if he wants to make an Olympic run. His turn is better than anyone else in the country in 50 free SCY but no turn in LCM

Dave Hoover

8 years ago

Reply to Kristie Wisniewski

Good question, I’d like to see him wipe that smug look off Florent Manaudou’s face in the 50 at the Olympics.

Kristie Wisniewski

8 years ago

Reply to Kristie Wisniewski

I looked at his times but they put the conversion up. He hasn’t cracked 22 in a 50 meter pool in the results I found. He is seeded 2nd in US using the conversion. But it’s the turn where he is beating everyone. Without the turn he needs to work reaction time on his start.

completelyconquered

8 years ago

Reply to Kristie Wisniewski

I am not sure where you are looking up results at, but Dressel won Nationals last summer with a 21.53, which ended up being the 4th fastest 50 free LCM time in the world.