The 12-year old phenom Michael Andrew was back in action again this past weekend at a Schoreder YMCA-hosted meet in Wisconsin, and though he didn’t take down any National Age Group records this time, he did put a big scare into a few.
In the 50 free, he swam a 21.89 that was just .04 away from his own mark set late last year. While a majority of his records have come in the form of 50-yard sprint races such as that one, he’s shifting his focus now to a bit longer races in anticipation of his age-up to the 13-14 age group this summer.
Along those lines, he scored a lifetime best of 48.37 in the 100 free. That’s just a tenth away from Andrew Jovanociv’s four-year-old record in the race.
In two other swims, he swam lifetime bests, though he was still far away from the NAG records (which are two of the more impressive ones in the group). In the 100 back, he touched in 55.12. That’s nearly a second away from Ryan Murphy’s NAG record, but does put him 7th on the all-time list for 11-12’s.
In the 100 fly, he swam the 2nd-best time in history with a 52.89. That puts in perspective how good Chas Morton’s record, that has stood since 1984, really was – no other 12 year old has ever come within a second of that swim.
He blew away his lifetime bests in the IM races (for those who questioned his ability to adapt to longer events, take note). He marked a 1:58.84 in the 200 IM, by two-seconds a personal best, and a 4:19.28 in the 400 IM, by 9 seconds a personal best. Both of those are in the top-11 ever by an 11-12 swimmer.
That’s an impressive group of swims, with 10 races total on the weekend. He also posted a 1:48.72 in his 200 free. Some recognition is due to his younger sister, and training partner, Michaela as well. She didn’t go any lifetime bests, but did crack 30 seconds in her 50 free (29.57). At only 10 years old, she’s got some good potential as well.
GO Michaela!!!
No records this weekend? Sounds like quittin’ time to me.
Ok, Braden thank you for the news. I thought he had broken many NAG records. I take note. They are very high. But the most impressive with this young swimmer is that almost every time he’s in the water he destroys his PB. Other thing, he hasn’t weak strokes. And some people here will say something about his size but the fact he’s great in every stroke is only a mark of a big natural talent.