On Road to LA28, Men’s 100 Butterfly Will Be a Difficult Gauntlet to Navigate
Two years out from the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, certain battles for Team USA berths are rapidly shaping up. Much has been made about the women’s backstroke events in the United States, where the top-end talent and depth is sensational from the 50-meter distance through the 200. In men’s competition, an Olympic invitation in the 100 butterfly will be difficult to secure.
The 100 fly was the highlight event of the third day of the United States National Championships, as Ilya Kharun registered a come-from-behind victory and produced a personal-best time of 50.05. The reigning Olympic bronze medalist in the event, Kharun was followed to the wall by Caeleb Dressel, who continued his superb meet with a performance of 50.45. Somewhat overlooked in the Kharun-Dressel showdown was Rowan Cox, who clocked 50.64 to establish a National Age Group (NAG) record.
A little more than a week ahead of the Pan Pacific Championships, where times will surely be swift, the United States flexed its 100 butterfly muscle at Nationals. To have three athletes 50-mid or faster at Nationals is just the start of what should be a stellar two-year leadup to the 2028 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis. One must ask: Is it possible that 49-point will be necessary to land a bid to the LA28 Games?
Here’s a look at the current top Americans in the 100 butterfly.
Ilya Kharun (Best Time: 50.05)
The newest addition to the American arsenal, Ilya Kharun is changing his sporting nationality from Canada to the United States, with the Arizona State star eligible to compete for the United States beginning in late October. Kharun was the bronze medalist in the 100 fly at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and repeated that placement at last summer’s World Championships in Singapore. On multiple occasions, Kharun has expressed his excitement about representing the United States, where he has resided for most of his life.
Shaine Casas (Best Time: 50.24)
The reigning silver medalist at the World Championships in the 200 individual medley, Shaine Casas has the potential to add multiple events to his international programs, and the 100 butterfly is a leading option. Casas clocked a personal best of 50.24 at last December’s U.S. Open, a mark that made him the third-fastest American in history. A member of the much-celebrated pro group at the University of Texas, Casas was 19th in the event at the 2025 World Champs, a blip on the radar given his talent.
Caeleb Dressel (Best Time: 50.45)
The 2020 Olympic champion in Tokyo, Caeleb Dressel is the world-record holder in the 100 fly at 50.45. His efforts at Nationals have renewed his status an event contender for Team USA, as Dressel went 50.55 during prelims and 50.45 in the final. Experience is on Dressel’s side, and following a couple of years in which he struggled to match his previous form, the veteran is once again racing at a high level, proof that his training under coach Steve Jungbluth is clicking.
Rowan Cox (Best Time: 50.64)
Set to start to his freshman year at the University of Texas in the fall, Rowan Cox looks like he could be a future contributor for the United States in international competition. At Nationals, he sliced two seconds off his best time in the 100 fly with a mark of 50.64, good for a National Age Group (NAG) in the 17-18 classification. Cox has been training in Austin since graduating high school, and the early results from his future college home suggest bigger things to come.
Thomas Heilman (Best Time: 50.70)
Although heading into just his sophomore year at the University of Virginia, Thomas Heilman has already represented the United States at multiple global championships, including the Olympic Games. The youngster possesses immense talent and produced his best time of 50.70 at last year’s National Championships. Heilman will have the chance to show what progress he has made in the past year when he competes at the upcoming Pan Pacific Championships.
Dare Rose (Best Time: 50.70)
A Cal-Berkeley product, Dare Rose is also slated to compete at the Pan Pacific Championships. Rose’s personal best was recorded earlier this year, when he went 50.70 at the Bergen Swim Festival in Europe. Rose just missed qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games, finishing third in the 100 butterfly, and he should continue to be a factor in the event. After all, we’re talking about someone who won bronze in the 100 fly at the 2023 World Championships.
Note: To keep the focus on recent form, the best times listed for each athlete are from the 2025 or 2026 season.
