Florida swimmer Caeleb Dressel picked up right where he left off on Day 3 of the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships.
A day after the senior broke his own American, NCAA and UF records in the 50 free, he did it all again in the 100 fly. His time of 42.80 was nearly eight-tenths faster than his previous record, and it also won him his third national championship of the event.
Fellow senior Jan Switkowski was right behind Dressel in the 100 fly, finishing in second place with a personal best time of 44.49.
"Two roommates and seniors who are really on top of it. Jan swam a perfect race, he was really great coming home,” coach Gregg Troy said in a release. “Caeleb is just really good. I actually thought we might be a tad faster, but he handled things really well."
Two other Gators competed on Friday night, and it was a successful evening for both of them. Sophomore Khader Baqlah earned All-American honors by finishing fifth in the 200 free. Senior Mark Szaranek finished first in the consolation final of the 400 IM, earning Honorable Mention All-American accolades.
One Florida relay team competed on Friday. In the 200 medley relay, the group of Dressel, Szaranek, Michael Taylor and Chandler Bray finished in third place.
Florida currently sits in fifth place overall in the meet, trailing first-place Indiana by 79 points. Dressel and 12 other Gators will compete as individuals on Saturday, as well as one relay team.
“It was a good day overall and we are in a good position,” Troy said. “We need to come in tomorrow strong. We have our work cut out for us."
Follow Sam Campisano on Twitter @samcampisano and contact him at scampisano@alligator.org.
Senior Caeleb Dressel broke his own American, NCAA and UF record in the 100 fly on Friday night at the NCAA Championships, posting a first-place time of 42.80.
