The Bolles Schools’ Caeleb Dressel has had a very fast season. He broke several 15-16 national age group records at the World Championship Trials in June in Indianapolis, setting the 200 freestyle record at 1:49.83.

Today, Dressel broke his national age group record in Irvine, California at the Junior National Championships. He won the B-final of the men’s 200 freestyle crushing his previous time with a 1:48.64. His time from finals would have won the event, but he swam a 1:51.69 in the morning prelim session, narrowly missing the championship final.

Dressel already had the top spot on USA Swimming’s Junior World Championship Selection List. Previously, he tied with Dynamo Swim Club’s Gunnar Bentz. Bentz, who also swam a 1:49.83 at the World Championship Trials in June. Today, Dressel moved ahead to claim the number one spot on the list, but Bentz was also able to improve his time to 1:49.57.

Because Dressel was not in the championship final heat, Gunnar Bentz is the new Junior National Champion in the men’s 200 freestyle. Bentz was followed by Blake Pieroni of Duneland Swim Club and Alexander Katz of the Sarasota YMCA Sharks.