Michael Andrew Misses World Junior Record in 50 Free by 6 Days

2017 LAUSANNE Swim CUP

American 18-year old Michael Andrew missed becoming the first official World Junior Record holder in the 50 free in short course meters not by tenths or hundredths, but by days. Swimming at the Lausanne Swim Cup in Switzerland last week, Andrew swam a 21.31 for his first win of the meet. That cleared the FINA-set standard for the first official World Junior Record by .01 seconds.

He was beat to the punch, however, by Russian 17-year old Kliment Kolesnikov, who swam a 21.24 on a relay leadoff on December 13th, 6 days earlier, at the European Short Course Championships. That swim is pending ratification by FINA – which has proven to be challenging in World Junior Records, because there is less consistency in doping control and form submission. Kolesnikov likely would have been tested at the European Championships as a gold medalist, however.

Kolesnikov, who on Friday in St. Petersburg broke a senior World Record, won 4 golds and 1 silver medal at those European Championships. That includes in the 200 free relay where he swam his record-breaking leadoff.

Andrew holds the World Junior Record in the 50 free, having swum 21.75 in both the heats and finals at this summer’s World Junior Championships. Kolesnikov didn’t race at that meet, but does hold the 100 and 200 back World Junior Records.

Andrew is already tied as the 6th-fastest American ever in the 50 short course meters free (which is not a popular pool length for American swimmers). He swam a 21.27 on a mixed free relay leadoff at this year’s Singapore stop of the FINA World Cup Series. While USA Swimming has included the time in its all-time rankings, by FINA rules, it isn’t eligible for a World Junior Record being part of a mixed-gender relay.

Top 10 All-Time Americans in 50 SCM Freestyle, as of December 22nd, 2017:

  1. Anthony Ervin, 20.85 (2012)
  2. Josh Schneider, 20.88 (2010)
  3. Nathan Adrian, 20.95 (2015)
  4. Michael Chadwick, 21.16 (2015)
  5. Jimmy Feigen, 21.20 (2013)
  6. Cullen Jones (2013)/Michael Andrew (2017), 21.27
  7. Nick Brunelli, 21.28 (2011)
  8. Paul Powers, 21.31 (2016)
  9. Matt Grevers, 21.38 (2011)

 

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OC Dad
6 years ago

A win for USRPT ? I’m a believer

ardy43
6 years ago

We haven’t seen a Russian stud like this since Vlad Morozov hit the seen. Does anyone know if he will make his way to the US to swim college or is he PRO like Michael Andrew?

Tammy Touchpad Error
Reply to  ardy43
6 years ago

I heard he took an unofficial trip to Cal earlier this year but I don’t think he’s going there

ardy43
Reply to  Tammy Touchpad Error
6 years ago

Maybe he has contact with Vlad Morozov and will look into USC. Actually, I could see Bob Bowman or Eddie Reece looking at him. Bowman is building a future powerhouse down at ASU right now!

PNW
Reply to  Tammy Touchpad Error
6 years ago

I have also heard that

no1swimfreak
6 years ago

What are the odds that Kolesnikov swam that 30 meters underwater…probably could not match it in long course.

Dudeman
Reply to  no1swimfreak
6 years ago

He actually didn’t, his underwaters were good but his swimming is also very fast. His backstroke times in LCM already show that he is also very good on top of the water. All his swims from the last few meets he’s been at are on youtube posted by SAVVA KOL (I believe). It’s very impressive to watch his swims from the stands viewpoint

Louiggi
6 years ago

It’s ok…he has at least three Olympic cycles in front

Hswimmer
Reply to  Louiggi
6 years ago

Especially since swimming is his job and most likely won’t go to school.

Troy
Reply to  Hswimmer
6 years ago

Yea I actually wonder if he will. I think he should have graduated highschool

Ffffffff
Reply to  Troy
6 years ago

He graduated high school last year: he was home-schooled.

50free
6 years ago

How did he swim freestyle (the 21.27) on a medley relay lead off? Was it a freestyle relay or from a flying start?

SummerLeaguer
6 years ago

This reminds me of that one time I missed the 10 & under 50 free NAG by only 1,075 days

Caeleb Dressel Will Get 7 golds in Tokyo
Reply to  SummerLeaguer
6 years ago

Made my day!

Pvdh
6 years ago

I wonder if a 19 is possible frome someone in the near future

bobo gigi
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

Here’s Manaudou’s world record in 20.26.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7EiZfXqgnU
Right now I see only a fully tapered Dressel in Budapest beast mode to break that time and swim close to 19 something.

Pvdh
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

I think that swim is pretty equal to Dressel’s 18.2. Idk if he can even drop more time, given his huge improvement last year in the 100s but not the 50. Maybe with perfect start and turn Dressel might do it. If he develops well, I actually think Hoffer could do it.

anonymoose
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

i think dressel could potentielly push the wr towards it.
something like a 20.11 on a good day i think

JP input too short
Reply to  anonymoose
6 years ago

20.00 given his history 😛

ardy43
Reply to  Pvdh
6 years ago

Caeleb will be graduated when the 2018 World SCM in Budapest and IMHO he will be fully tapered and ready to go. Dressel will absolutely annihilate the 50M, 100M free records as well as 50M, 100M Fly and who knows, maybe he’ll take on the 100M, 200M IMs as well. We will see one or more thresholds broken in SCM with this phenominal swimmer. Caeleb is only going to get faster.

swimfast247
6 years ago

Just now reminded of the fact that he went 21.75 lcm last summer … damn, forgot how fast that was

bobo gigi
Reply to  swimfast247
6 years ago
Jay ryan
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Welcome back to the site, Bobo! Some folks have been worried by your recent silence.

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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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