Michael Andrew Drops 21.73 50 Free PB At Atlanta Classic

2018 ATLANTA CLASSIC

19-year-old Michael Andrew dropped a personal best time in the 50 free final at the Atlanta Classic on Saturday, getting down to 21.73 to beat his previous best of 21.75 by .02. Andrew went that 21.75 twice last August at the World Junior Championships when he won the title.

Andrew has been red hot in this event over the course of the season, including winning the TYR Pro Derby shootout over World Championship silver medalist Bruno Fratus. After sitting 7th in the world with his season-best of 21.84 from that meet, Andrew now jumps up into 5th, and remains the top American.

The 2016 SC World Champion in the 100 IM is priming for a big showing in this event this summer, as he hunts down his first berths on the U.S. Pan Pacific and World Championship teams. With this consistency, he has become a big favorite to score a spot on the Pan Pac team, with the Americans taking the top-3 nationals finishers in most cases, while he’s very much in the running for that second spot at the 2019 World Championships. Reigning champ Caeleb Dressel is a near lock for the first spot, sporting a best of 21.15, but that second spot is very much up for grabs with Andrew in the mix. He’ll have to deal with the likes of Nathan Adrian, along with perhaps a few others including veteran Cullen Jones and rising stars Zach Apple and Michael Chadwick, but he’s got a very good shot.

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Steve D
5 years ago

I was there tonight to watch Michael Andrew do his personal best in the 50 free and it was a stunning swim! Now #5 in the world. Here we come Tokyo 2020!

SchoolingFTW
5 years ago

Three separate Michael Andrew article titles just for one night!

🙂

Admin
Reply to  SchoolingFTW
5 years ago

And you commented on each and every one of them! That can’t be a coincidence. I’ll have Andrew or Kevin or Barry calculate the T-score on that. Brb.

SchoolingFTW
Reply to  Braden Keith
5 years ago

Touche!

Cheatin Vlad
5 years ago

Cullen Jones is in contention 🙂

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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