Justin Ress

Justin Ress (born August 3, 1997) is an American swimmer. As a member of the USA national team Justin won the gold medal in the 50 meter backstroke at the 2022 FINA World Championships and was a member of the USA gold medal-winning 4X100 free relay. He was also a key part of the USA team that defeated Australia in the resumption of the Duel in the Pool series in 2022. Ress competed as a member of the Cali Condors of the International Swimming League from 2019 to 2021 and looks forward to resumption of ISL in the near future. Ress was US national champion in the 100 backstroke in 2022 and 50 backstroke in 2017 after which he competed in the men's 50 meter backstroke event at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships. Ress swam collegiately for North Carolina State University where he was a 3-time NCAA champion, 21-time NCAA All-American, and 11-time ACC champion. In his first year at school he won the 2016 ACC Freshman of the Year award.

Early life Ress is a native of Cary, North Carolina who attended Cary High School. Ress was the runner up in the 50 meter backstroke (24.31) and finished third in the 100 meter backstroke (53.26), both personal bests, at the U.S. National Championships. His third-place finish in the 100 meter backstroke got him a spot on the 2018 Pan Pac team.

At the 2020 Olympic Trials, Justin swam the 50 Freestyle and the 100 Backstroke. In the 100 Backstroke semifinals, he qualified 4th with a best time of 52.86, but failed to make the team the following day. On the Final day of the trials, he swam a 22.15 in the 50 Freestyle placing 7th, failing to qualify for the Olympic Team.

In August 2022, at the 2022 Australian Short Course Swimming Championships held in Sydney, Australia, Ress won the gold medal in the 50 meter backstroke with a time of 23.16 seconds and silver medals in the 50 meter freestyle and 100 meter freestyle, finishing only behind Kyle Chalmers of Australia in both events.

Career best times Short course meters (25 m pool)

Event Time Meet Location Date 50 m freestyle 20.95 2020 International Swimming League Budapest, Hungary November 12, 2020 100 m freestyle 45.70 2021 International Swimming League Eindhoven, Netherlands November 28, 2021 50 m backstroke 23.08 2020 International Swimming League Budapest, Hungary October 16, 2020 100 m backstroke 50.38 2021 International Swimming League Naples, Italy September 5, 2021