Michael Andrew Finds Freedom to Race (Video)

2018 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Lauren Neidigh.

MEN’S 50 FREE:

  • World Record: Cesar Cielo, 20.91, 2009
  • American Record: Caeleb Dressel, 21.15, 2017
  • Championship Record: Nathan Adrian/Garret Weber-Gale, 21.47, 2013/2008
  • U.S. Open Record: 21.14, Cesar Cielo, 2009
  1. GOLD: Michael Andrew– 21.49
  2. SILVER: Caeleb Dressel– 21.67
  3. BRONZE: Nathan Adrian– 21.85
  4. FOURTH: Michael Chadwick– 22.00

Michael Andrew had done it again. World champ Caeleb Dressel popped off the start to the lead, but Andrew moved ahead towards the finish, knocking 2 tenths off his best in 21.49 to win his 3rd of the 4 stroke 50s this week. Dressel wound up 2nd in 21.67, out-touching felow Worlds sprint medalist Nathan Adrian (21.85). Andrew is now the 6th fastest American ever in the event. He was just 2 hundredths off the Meet Record tonight.

Michael Chadwick was a hundredths shy of his best for 4th in 22.00. Since he didn’t place in the top 4 in the 100 free, Chadwick won’t be making the trip to Pan Pacs this summer. Fellow 2017 Worlds team member Zach Apple was 5th, also just off his best in 22.06. Apple should be making the trip to Pan Pacs since he placed 4th in the 100 free earlier in the meet. he had the fastest 100 free time of the meet with his performance in prelims.

Tate Jackson had the 6th fastest time of the night in 22;09 from the B final. That topped his best by 3 tenths. Olympic gold medalist Ryan Held was just behind in 22.27. 100 free champ Blake Pieroniplaced 5th in the B final in 22.56. He was a tenth ahead of Harvard star Dean Farris (22.66), who finished 7th there.

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outside smoke
6 years ago

love that MA publicizes his goal times. Makes watching him that much more exciting. Like imagine when he hits 21.25 or below (whenever it may be), just knowing what that’ll mean to him when you see him react to it. Very cool

Luigi
6 years ago

This meet cemented his status as a legitimate pro swimmer. He is now national champion in multiple long course events, including two Olympic events.
Ps I know I am being Captain Obvious here 😀

25 free champ
Reply to  Luigi
6 years ago

Not so obvious to some apparently. There are still many in these comments who doubt his abilities. At this point I’m convinced they’ll never be satisfied. He could win 9 Golds in Tokyo and they’d still have something to nitpick.

Anonymous
Reply to  25 free champ
6 years ago

I think he could convince some naysayers if he were to win gold in the 1500. Anything less than that and MA is not a real swimmer.

Roberto
Reply to  25 free champ
6 years ago

I believe it’s less about Michael/his abilities and more about the people casting aspersions. They are also likely envious of other people in all walks of life. Miserable people love to find more misery anywhere they can pull it into their black hole.

Go get ’em Michael you are on your way now!

cobyr
6 years ago

wow, three 50s titles on 3 strokes. I can expect a new record on the 200IM.

Swamfan
6 years ago

Isn’t one of the benefits of USRPT that the swimmer is nearly in a constant taper? He had a great meet but nobody else is tapered because they train completely different. I hope he does well at panpacs and worlds but I think that barely beating untapered athletes who have a lot to drop while you have less to drop is not ideal! Still a good meet and I don’t want to take anything away from him.

swamteam
Reply to  Swamfan
6 years ago

Other than Dressel, who do you think was not “fully” tapered for a national meet with international team qualifications?

Swamfan
Reply to  swamteam
6 years ago

I’d be surprised if Nathan Adrian is tapered with the times he’s putting up. So besides Dressel… the other person that could challenge him in the 50. I.E. His competition.

Swimmer1
Reply to  swamteam
6 years ago

Townley Haas.

25 free champ
Reply to  Swamfan
6 years ago

The sheer ignorance is unbelievable. The cognotive dissonance of Swamfan and others is utterly confounding.

Glenn Gruber
Reply to  Swamfan
6 years ago

You are not in constant taper with USRPT. Since you are only training at race pace you are ready to race all the time. Doing race pace as the only training method is very tough ( I have been doing it for four years…it is tough), but it has it’s rewards. I think the biggest thing with Michael is his mental attitude and mental preparation which has improved and made much of the difference this past week. He had an outstanding meet. I was lucky enough to be there and see the 50’free…it was incredible how he came from behind Dressel to win. Who does that in a 50?

Teddy
Reply to  Glenn Gruber
6 years ago

Anthony Ervin

Cobalt
Reply to  Teddy
6 years ago

That’s some very good company!

Swamfan
Reply to  Glenn Gruber
6 years ago

“You are not in constant taper with USRPT. Since you are only training at race pace you are r day to race all the time” oh yeah? Almost like a taper.

sven
Reply to  Swamfan
6 years ago

USRPT can have you at a point where you can rest up and go fast with like three days of lighter loads, but there is still a two week peaking phase for when you really want to crush it, just like “traditional” training programs can have a taper phase. That’s why MA got even faster instead of just going the same times he’d been going at the pro series meets. It’s also easy to maintain speed and fitness with USRPT so I don’t think he needs to worry about the double taper for Pan Pacs.

Which athletes were untapered? Dressel didn’t have much rest, for sure. Adrian probably had a half-taper or so. I’m sure all of the breaststrokers had… Read more »

SwimGeek
6 years ago

What was the “move to San Diego” comment at the end? Is he really moving?

Arthur S
Reply to  SwimGeek
6 years ago
25 free champ
6 years ago

I was unsure when he was wanting to reach his listed goal times. 21.25 is very fast. Half a second faster than last year. I’m doubting he’ll get down there in 2 weeks but by next year I could see it. His start could use some work but at the same time, everyone looks like they have a bad start when they’re next to Dressel.

RUN-DMC
6 years ago

This meet could not have gone any better for him. Congratulations.

Love to Swim
6 years ago

This kid is an inspiration. And what a journey! Starting as a professional from very young age, smashing age group records only to plateaued and facing naysayers and negativity and yet keeping positive outlook on everything. He must have a great family support. I hope he swims full time in world cup and take all those sweet cash. His only competition is Le Clos.

Teddy
Reply to  Love to Swim
6 years ago

That circuit is gonna be a cashcow for him!

Cobalt
Reply to  Love to Swim
6 years ago

Yes, such an inspiration. I really think that in time he can be our best 100 flyer. About 4 years ago there was a video of Michael racing a 50 against Le Clos. Le Clos was WAY ahead after the start, and by the end of the race Michael had caught him but was just out touched. In the 50 fly this week he caught and passed Dressel. He might just have a better fly than Dressel, with less vertical motion. Wonderful to see his progression.

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