{"id":478826,"date":"2021-06-19T18:50:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-20T01:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=478826"},"modified":"2021-06-19T20:21:08","modified_gmt":"2021-06-20T03:21:08","slug":"u-s-olympic-trials-caeleb-dressel-takes-top-seed-in-mens-50-free-ahead-of-andrew-adrian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/u-s-olympic-trials-caeleb-dressel-takes-top-seed-in-mens-50-free-ahead-of-andrew-adrian\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Olympic Trials: Caeleb Dressel Takes Top Seed in Men’s 50 Free Ahead of Andrew, Adrian"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a dominant performance in the 100 butterfly, Caeleb Dressel<\/strong> returned his focus to the 50 freestyle for the semifinals, aiming to make one more final at the U.S. Olympic Trials.<\/p>\n

Dressel was about three tenths of a second off the world record in the butterfly<\/a> and had about 40 minutes between races. Not a lot of time to switch gears, but Dressel has proved time and time again to be able to handle difficult doubles, and not lose much speed \u2014 at least too much speed at his level.<\/p>\n

It was a good start for Dressel, who used his closing speed to take the top seed in 21.51.<\/p>\n

“The goal of this meet is to make the team. I am never going to look past a prelim or a semi,” Caeleb Dressel said. “I made the final and I have a morning off. My meet is going according to plan so far and I am happy about that.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Nathan Adrian<\/strong> closed strong to take second in 21.78 in the final head ahead of Michael Chadwick<\/strong> (22.01) and David Curtiss<\/strong> (22.07).<\/p>\n

In the first semifinal, Michael Andrew<\/strong> surged ahead to win in 21.55. Bowe Becker<\/strong> was second in 21.83, followed by Justin<\/strong> Ress<\/strong> (21.91) as three swimmers broke 22 seconds in the first semifinal heat.<\/p>\n

“My plan for tomorrow is go out and win it. Obviously, Caeleb has a (fast time), but the race comes super smooth,” Andrew said. “I am just having fun now. This is what I have been waiting all week for.”<\/p>\n

He won’t be the only one trying to catch Caeleb Dressel in the 50 freestyle. Adrian is looking to make another Olympic team, while Chadwick and Curtiss could put together some huge times. Becker is a relay alternate yet to be official at this point and a big race could make it official.<\/p>\n