U.S. Nationals, Day Three Men’s Prelims: Caeleb Dressel Pops 50.55 Effort for Top Seed in 100 Butterfly
Some intriguing storylines have further developed over the first two days of the United States National Championships in Irvine, California. After a pair of strong performances in the 100-meter freestyle and 50 butterfly, what will Caeleb Dressel do next? The three-time Olympian is scheduled to contest the 100 butterfly on the third day of action at the William Woollett Aquatics Center, and it will be interesting to see if the veteran can get into 50-low territory.
In the 400 individual medley, Ryan Erisman will take to the blocks after winning the 200 freestyle on Wednesday night. The Cal standout produced a pair of 1:45-low performances in the 200 free on Day Two, and now enters the 400 IM as the No. 2 seed, behind an entry time of 4:12.66. Given his form, could Erisman become the ninth American to go sub-4:10 in the event? It’s a realistic possibility.
Aside from the 400 medley and 100 butterfly, Thursday’s preliminaries will also include the 50 breaststroke and 50 backstroke. Here is an event-by-event recap of the Day Three prelims:
Men’s 400 Individual Medley
The final of the 400 IM will be wide open, with several contenders emerging during the morning session. Earning the top seed for the final was Luke Ellis, who was the lone swimmer to go under 4:15. Ellis touched the wall in 4:14.86, followed by Noah Cakir in 4:15.34 and Ryan Erisman in 4:15.51. Erisman has been 4:12 this year, so he might have the edge this evening among the top-three qualifiers. Cakir was fourth in the 200 breaststroke on Wednesday night.
Top-seeded Michael Hochwalt will also be in the mix for the title, as he entered the meet with a best time of 4:11.46. Hochwalt did only what was needed to advance out of prelims, clocking 4:16.14 to book Lane Six for the final.
Men’s 100 Butterfly
The roll of Caeleb Dressel continues, as the Team USA veteran popped a mark of 50.55 in the prelims of the 100 butterfly. That time was good for the top seed in the final, where the world-record holder and 2020 Olympic champ will once again battle with Ilya Kharun. Dressel won the 100 freestyle on the opening night of the meet, going 47.70, and he was the runnerup to Kharun in the 50 butterfly. Kharun went 50.70 for the second-fastest time of prelims in the 100 fly.
Rowan Cox, a University of Texas recruit, was the third-fastest in prelims, behind a swim of 51.42, while fourth went to Logan Robinson in 51.47.
Men’s 50 Breaststroke
Michael Andrew was the class of the field in the men’s 50 breaststroke heats. The 27-year-old won bronze in this event at the 2022 World Championships and was one of the two Americans to swim the event at last year’s World Championships. Andrew clocked 26.74 in the morning, well ahead of the 26.92 he swam in last year’s national final. He remains ranked 14th in the world this year, having improved upon his season best by one hundredth, and his lifetime best of 26.52 ranks 14th all-time.
Watson Nguyen was the only other swimmer under 27, clocking 26.96 for second place, with Mitch Mason taking third. With fourth-place swimmer Ian Call (27.30) bound for the 18-and-under final, Finnley Conklin was the last swimmer to make the championship heat with his time of 27.48. Conklin finished third in the 200 breast Wednesday evening. Another standout from the 200, runnerup Gabe Nunziata, tied for 12th (27.60).
Men’s 50 Backstroke
One year ago, Quintin McCarty was the only American male backstroker to reach a final at the World Championships, coming in sixth in the 50 in his senior-level international debut. McCarty, who should be a medal favorite in the event at the Pan Pacific Championships, threw down a 24.66 in the prelims at Nationals for the top seed. McCarty’s season-best time sits at 24.45, ranking him 10th in the world for 2026.
Jack Wilkening and Finn Harland also broke 25 in the morning, with Wilkening touching second in 24.78 and Harland going 24.95. The top-eight swimmers all finished within 0.42 of each other, Adam Chaney and Ulises Saravia tying for seventh at 25.08.
