Caeleb Dressel Making Push for Pan Pacs Slot in 50 Butterfly; Michael Andrew on Shaky Ground
Racing the 50-meter butterfly during the third day of prelims at the TYR Summer Championships, Caeleb Dressel put together a strong performance of 23.28. That time was good for the second seed in the final, where Australian Ben Armbruster will be in Lane Four after clocking 23.10 in the morning. Armbruster was the titlist in the 100 butterfly on Night Two, while Dressel scratched the event before prelims.
Dressel is in position to qualify for next summer’s Pan Pacific Championships, but accomplishing that feat will require a slightly faster swim in the evening. Other than the 100 freestyle and 200 freestyle (top four), the United States’ 2026 Pan Pacs team will comprise of the top-two performers in each event from multiple meets. The eligible competitions are the World Championships, Nationals, the World University Games, the TYR Summer Champs and the upcoming World Junior Championships.
In the 50 butterfly, Dare Rose currently sits in the No. 1 slot, thanks to a time of 23.06. In the second position is Michael Andrew, behind a mark of 23.21. If Dressel can better Andrew’s time, he will earn the Pan Pacs nod in the event. More, qualification will allow Dressel to swim any event he chooses at Pan Pacifics, which will be held at the William Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine, California from August 12-15, 2026.
When the TYR Summer Champs started, Andrew was the No. 2 American in the 50 breaststroke and 50 butterfly. However, Van Mathias won the 50 breaststroke on Night One, his time of 26.76 bumping Andrew to third. If Dressel goes 23.20 or faster, Andrew will drop to third in the 50 fly and be knocked out of Pan Pacs.
Day One Finals
Day Two Finals
Meet Results
