Michael Andrew Showing Impressive Form At Columbus Pro Swim Series

2018 PRO SWIM SERIES – COLUMBUS

  • Thursday, July 5 – Sunday, July 8, 2018
  • McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion, Columbus, OH
  • Thursday: Timed Finals 5 PM (US Eastern Time)
  • Friday-Sunday: Prelims 10 AM / Finals 6:30 PM (US Eastern Time)
  • Meet site
  • Meet info
  • Psych sheet
  • Live Results

Through three sessions of the 2018 TYR Columbus Pro Swim Series (excluding the distance session, in which he didn’t race) 19-year-old Michael Andrew has recorded three lifetime best times. He had been red hot all year in the 50 free, dipping below 22 seconds on seven different occasions, but really surprised everyone on Friday in the 100 fly.

Andrew had tied his lifetime best from 2015 (done when he was just 16) in March at the Atlanta stop in a time of 52.57, and dropped that by a tenth of a second during the preliminaries here in Columbus. After opening up so fast (23.98), it wasn’t anticipated that he could go much faster than his 52.47 in the final, especially with the next fastest qualifier nearly a full second behind (53.40) in the heats.

However, he really put everyone on notice with his performance, out like a bullet in 23.68 before coming home over three tenths better than the morning, shattering his PB all the way down to 51.86. That is an elite in-season time, as only Jack Conger (51.00) has been faster among Americans this year, and that was for a meet in which he had some rest for.

Andrew had taken a big step forward in his 50 free this year, beginning at the World Junior Championships last August, but other than the stroke 50s, hadn’t really seen that progression in his other events since 2016 (though he did go a 200 IM PB last year in-season). This is a good indication that some more big drops could be in store in a few weeks in Irvine, and possibly on Sunday in Columbus.

He did keep it rolling on Saturday morning, dropping .04 off his lifetime best in the 50 free to get down to 21.69, ranking him 6th in the world for the season. Based on his consistency, it’s difficult to imagine him not making the Pan Pac team in the 50, but now we can add the 100 fly to another potential event he could qualify in. With the U.S. likely taking three swimmers in most Olympic events (if not four, depending on the number of qualifiers), the spots behind Caeleb Dressel and Conger are largely up for grabs this year.

Tonight he’ll look to reach his goal of 21.5 in the 50, and on Sunday we’ll see him in both the 100 breast and 200 IM.

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Swim mom
5 years ago

He has been through so much… had some pretty bad swims at big meets that got him a lot of people doubting his methods and his future and I was one of the doubters for sure. But this year he has made a believer out of me that he just may do everything he intended to do. Good for him! I really hope he has an awesome nationals!

Reply to  Swim mom
5 years ago

Remember: He is NINETEEN.Manaudou was 23something, Cielo 22.32…he is shaping to be a great dasher.

Rickybobby
5 years ago

He won’t be Michael Phelps. Perhaps a less good Lochte.

Fly
Reply to  Rickybobby
5 years ago

Hes the first Michael Andrew, that’s all that matter

Admin
Reply to  Rickybobby
5 years ago

Phelps’ best time in the 50 free was 22.94. Lochte’s was 23.35. So, I guess you’re right in the regard that he won’t ever be those guys 😉

bobo gigi
Reply to  Rickybobby
5 years ago

There will never be again another Michael Phelps. And I wish MA can accomplish even 25% of what Ryan Lochte has done during his career.
As Fly said, he’s the first Michael Andrew. Let’s see what he has in store. Now is the time for him to reach the next level by making the team for worlds next year.

Marmot
5 years ago

The thing with Andrew is that he doesn’t really hit a big taper when it’s time to taper at the end of the year. “In-season” doesn’t mean that much with him since he doesn’t drop significant time at bigger meets.

coacherik
Reply to  Marmot
5 years ago

If he pulls a similar drop for Pan Pac Trials, he’s looking at a 51.16… not too shabby. 1.9% improvement isn’t something to bat an eye at when your at that level, regardless of what time of the season it is.

Jim C
Reply to  Marmot
5 years ago

Since he is only 19, I would not assume this year will necessarily be the same as previous years were.

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  Marmot
5 years ago

He had a big drop for Olympic Trials. He’s not going to have a Dressel or Townley drop in time, but he’ll go significantly faster — 21.50-55, maybe 51.3.

CPG
5 years ago

Good for him. Good luck, young man!

Cheatin Vlad
5 years ago

51.86 100m fly and 21.69 50m free are some serious in season times. Good for MA finding another gear and continuing to make strides.

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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