Michael Andrew Swims Within 2-Tenths of Best Time in 200 IM Prelims

2019 PRO SWIM SERIES – RICHMOND

On the final morning of the 2019 Richmond Pro Swim Series stop, Michael Andrew broke out the 2nd-best 200 meter IM of his career, qualifying first by over 2 seconds in 1:59.35.

In the first race of a Saturday triple, Andrew missed his personal best of 1:59.12 from the 2017 Pro Swim Series meet in Indianapolis by just two-tenths of a second. This race has one that’s long held intrigue for both fans of and detractors from Andrew, given his world-class times over 50 and 100 meters of all 4 strokes.

He’s never quite put together the senior-level 200 IM that it’s felt like he is capable of, which is in part due to the fact that at the World Junior Championships, where Andrew swam so well otherwise in 2017, the race is scheduled 18 minutes after the final of the 100 breaststroke.

While his splitting was quite different from that in his best time, he still (faded or backed off) on the final 50, the freestyle leg. We should get a better idea of which in the final.

Split Comparison:

Fly Split Back Split Breast Split Free Split Total Time
Michael Andrew PB – 2017 Indy PSS 24.83 30.10 34.23 29.96 1:59.12
Michael Andrew Prelims – 2019 Richmond PSS 24.69 30.58 33.55 30.53 1:59.35

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Louiggi
5 years ago

Rivalry?! Shall leave the discussion to the swim swam media.
MA is an entertaining athlete, fun to watch racing + swim soc.med.videos….can he produce/accomplish his goals – fastest athlete in 50’s in all four?
In the us 2 out of 4 (maybe!). Top 3 in world 1/4.

Swimmar
5 years ago

For everyone talking about a Dressel vs Andrew rivalry, remember Andrew is basically on taper year around, and is barely beating or losing to Dressel (who is definitely not on taper right now)…

Ryan
Reply to  Swimmar
5 years ago

But then again they were both tapered last summer and Andrew won every time.

Swimmer
Reply to  Ryan
5 years ago

Darn motorcycle

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Swimmer
5 years ago

Overplayed excuse, and Troy admitted as much in an ASCA presentation on how he trains Dressel.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Swimmar
5 years ago

Dressel does massive taper drops because of the way he trains. Sometimes, like last year, it comes back to bite him if he’s overtrained. MA also has very nice taper drops for the biggest meets. Try a USRPT set and then tell me you feel tapered.

Floater
5 years ago

About time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MA steps up and puts 4 50’s together! Exciting to see what he can do.

Swimmer
5 years ago

I seriously didn’t think he could swim anything over 100 meters It’s nice to see him swim something more than 50s.

anonymous
Reply to  Swimmer
5 years ago

He swam several 400 IM last year

Crannman
5 years ago

Regardless of your opinion on Andrew’s 200m IM strategy, you can’t say it isn’t fun to watch!

Dee
5 years ago

Guy’s an enigma

Michael Schwartz
Reply to  Dee
5 years ago

Not really. The guy doesn’t know how to breath properly in freestyle and that’s it. That’s why he can pull off a 100 in every other stroke and why his 50 Free is world class, but his best time in the 100 free is barely under 50s. Andrew swimming free and holding his breath is bueno…Andrew Swimming free and breathing… is no bueno.

Joe
Reply to  Michael Schwartz
5 years ago

He should do some stretching to open up his thoracic area / upper back rotation around his spine. He has a very flat freestyle which is not as much of a problem in 50s but he could benefit from better rotation in 100s.

Blackflag82
Reply to  Joe
5 years ago

I think he actually just needs to bring on another coach…I’m not saying replace his dad because that’s not going to happen, but bringing in someone who is on board with USRPT and has a better understanding of technique and body mechanics to figure out how he should be breathing. I mean strictly from a business perspective the Andrews are missing out on their best chance at a gold medal at LCM worlds or they Olympics (relay) and the increased sponsorship money that could come with that medal

Cobalt
Reply to  Blackflag82
5 years ago

He is a phenomenally gifted swimmer. Someone like David Marsh or Gary Hall Sr would know what to with his free. I don’t know why he doesn’t get some supplemental lessons with coaches like that? When you see him next to CD it’s very clear…CD has a massive shoulder rotation to both sides, and MA has it only to his right. AND even with that lack of rotation, he still goes so fast. If he can go 21 in his 50 free, he really should be able to go 48 in the 100.

I’ve always thought that he could be one of the best in the world at the 200IM. But he would probably have to adjust his training to… Read more »

anonymous
Reply to  Joe
5 years ago

He is flexible, has strength and balance does yoga and stretching, and surfing. He has great rotation when you see overhead views like at Pan Pacs. Just seeing a side view and not in slow motion does not show the great rotation that he has.

Cobalt
Reply to  anonymous
5 years ago

Cool Anonymous, I’ll look at the overhead shots!
What is amazing though, is that after the start, CD of course is ahead of him (cuz of his great underwaters) but then MA catches him. That means that MA is swimming faster in the middle of the pool.

Hmm...
5 years ago

30.53

Oof

Ol’ Longhorn
Reply to  Hmm...
5 years ago

Same as Kalisz prelims.

Buster
Reply to  Hmm...
5 years ago

After a 33.5 breaststroke …

EliteSwimmer93
5 years ago

This is evolving into such a Phelps/Lochte-esque rivalry it’s not even funny. Look out for Dressel v. Andrew in 2020 boys and girls

Samuel Huntington
Reply to  EliteSwimmer93
5 years ago

I don’t see this at all. It may happen but right now, not really.

Eagleswim
Reply to  EliteSwimmer93
5 years ago

Phelps lochte was two guys going back and forth on world records and world championships, head and shoulders above anyone else in the world in multiple events over almost 12 years… this is a fun rivalry but it’s not that yet

Snarky
Reply to  EliteSwimmer93
5 years ago

Not when you come home in 30.5!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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