Michael Andrew Becomes Youngest Sub-Minute American Breaststroker Ever

17-year old swimmer Michael Andrew has broken his own 17-18 National Age Group Record in the 100 long course meter breaststroke and become the youngest American swimmer in history to go faster than 1 minute in the event.

Andrew won heat 13 of 14 during the first prelims session of the meet and swam 59.96. That improved upon his own 1:00.37, done in this same pool, 2 weeks ago at the Omaha Swim Cup.

Comparative splits:

  • Omaha Swim Cup – 28.27/32.10 = 1:00.37
  • Olympic Trials – 27.73/32.23 = 59.96

For Andrew, who’s pared his normally-crowded schedule down to just 5 events this week, that qualified him through 5th into the meet’s semi-finals, behind Kevin Cordes (50.05), Cody Miller (59.33), Andrew Wilson (59.76), and Josh Prenot (59.76).

Andrew has now broken the 100 breaststroke record 3 times in the last two weeks. The record had been a Cordes-held 1:00.47, which Andrew improved twice at the Omaha Cup, and then by a much bigger margin on Sunday morning.

Also going through to the semi-final is 16-year old Reece Whitley, who swam next to Andrew and wound up qualifying 13th. The two, who have become linked as the young future of American breaststroking, embraced in the water after their swims.

The race was announced as a Junior World Record in the event, though Chinese swimmer Wang Lizhuo swam a 59.64 earlier this year that hasn’t been acknowledged by FINA. FINA’s most recent acknowledged record is a 1:00.12 done by Russian Anton Chupkov in 2015, that has been listed as “awaiting ratification.”

 

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Hdhdhdjjcqdhdjdhhejejwiaioaixhfhehbenw
8 years ago

58.8 semis? 58.6 finals? I think he will be slower in the semis but faster in the finals. 59.2 semis. 58.6-59.0 finals.

Joel Lin

Anything is possible.

Cobalt
Reply to  Joel Lin
8 years ago

HE IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!

Joel Lin
8 years ago

Great swim. He was also out alone a bit. Tonite he will be with others out in the 27s, so this will be his chance to really race the guys next to him on the last 50. He’s definitely in the mix. Great to see and congrats to him.

Jack Baker
8 years ago

Nothing scares this kid. He’s not intimidated by anyone. With all the pressure that is placed on him to perform – he’s still able to do it….and yet…..”experts” continue to question his training methodology. Imagine if he could actually train with some other swimmers – versus by himself. There’s no telling what this kid could do.

Coaches
Reply to  Jack Baker
8 years ago

Well said.

SwimmerFoxJet
8 years ago

What do you think now Bobo? 59.9 is phenomenal for a 17 year old or not? Just .3 off the Jr Wr.

Attila the Hunt
Reply to  SwimmerFoxJet
8 years ago

It IS PHENOMENAL!
And he still has until December 31 next year to break and lower current JR WR (59.64)

Hopefully, he can even go faster tonight and perhaps if through to final, tomorrow night as well. But if not, it IS OK too. He’s just turned 17, there’s no one in the world younger than he is who is faster at swimming 100 breast. Do not let some anonymous internet commenter call it not ok just because he may not get into US OT final.

Lol
8 years ago

That is some speed… People question his training methods, but it’s working quite well for him I guess! Hope he has more left in the tank

SwimmerFoxJet
Reply to  Lol
8 years ago

59.6 is the WR. For Juniors I hope he makes it. Top 4 tonight?

Victor P
Reply to  SwimmerFoxJet
8 years ago

It shouldn’t be. From somebody who cheated within the last 12 months I believe.

Attila the Hunt
Reply to  Victor P
8 years ago

Wang Lizhuo also swam 59.79 last September. Not yet ratified. Chupkov’s 1:00 from August last year also not ratified.
FINA has a large backlog of record swims not ratified yet. Shameful.

Awilliams
8 years ago

Danggggggggggggg

Swim
8 years ago

59.3 tonight

mikeh
8 years ago

Whoa – simply amazing.

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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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