On the men’s swimming side of Team USA, Michael Phelps’ retirement 8 years ago is said to have left a void. Some of the guys looking to fill it include Caleb Dressel. He answered a lot of doubters in Indy, by winning the sprints— the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly. He’s also qualified in the 4 x 100 meter relay, getting a chance in Paris to defend at least 3 of the golds he won in Tokyo.
Also helping fill the Phelps gap, 20-year-old Chris Guiliano, who’s now the first American man since 1988 to qualify for the 50, 100, and 200-meter freestyle races. Guiliano of Notre Dame was especially dominant at Lucas Oil, qualifying for those 3 events. He’s from Douglasville, PA.
Drew Kibler is headed to his second Olympics, competing in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. He competed in the same event in Tokyo, where the relay team finished fourth, just missing the podium.
Luke Whitlock of Noblesville will race in the 800-meter freestyle. He just missed out on qualifying for the 1500-meters as well, finishing under a second behind the 2nd-place finisher. This will be his first Olympics.
Chesterton High School and IU graduate Blake Pieroni qualified for the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, joining Kibler. Pieroni was the last addition to the team, after finishing 6th in the 200-meter freestyle final.
Cale Dressel photo- Michael Conroe, AP