Michael Andrew Swims Lifetime Best, at Altitude, in Mexico

1st International Copa Heller 2018

American swimmer Michael Andrew has never trained or raced at altitude before, but his first mile-high experience this past weekend in Querétaro, Mexico, at around 6,000 feet, was a fruitful adventure, including a new lifetime best.

Sneaking in a long course meet in Mexico before this weekend’s long course TYR Pro Swim Series meet in Atlanta, Andrew came away with a 27.33 in the 50 meter breaststroke, beating out Brazil’s SCM national record holder in the 50 breaststroke Joao Gomes Jr, who finished 2nd in 27.48. For Andrew, that swim improves the 27.39 that he swam over the summer to win the World Junior Championship.

He also swam a 1:01.68 in the 100 breaststroke, which is about half-a-second faster than he was at the Austin stop of the Pro Swim Series, in spite of racing at altitude.

He also swam a 23.42 in the 50 fly, .01 seconds faster than he was in Austin and enough to rank him 6th in the world this year.

Also in attendance at the meet was Brazilian star and World Record holder Cesar Cielo. He finished 2nd to Andrew in the 50 fly, almost a second back in 24.30 in an event in which he’s a two-time World Champion. He also swam a 50.55 in the 100 free, beating Andrew’s 51.71. Andrew won the ‘rubber match’ with a 22.22 in the 50 free, beating Cielo’s 22.76.

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USA USA USA
6 years ago

The 50’s are anaerobic so how does it really change much from swimming 50’s on normal altitude?

AfterShock
Reply to  USA USA USA
6 years ago

Is the brain anaerobic?

AfterShock
6 years ago

Since MA recorded a PB, why wasn’t he tested for Querétaro Sierra Mountain high, a similar but less powerful performance enhancer than a Rocky Mountain high? Symptoms, such as euphoria, can easily be recognized from phrases such as “wow, man!” or “Dude, check this out!”, although swimmers used to very narrow pools may be heard saying “this pool is spinning at race pace!”. And once MA realizes that this will make him swim even faster at sea level, he’ll be back on the mountain, again and again and again. At least he’ll be far from the United States Rockies Police Troopers (USRPT).

Justin Thompson
6 years ago

That second 50 at altitude is a killer.?

James
6 years ago

These are impressive times, no matter how you break it down. In my mind, 2019 in South Korea is where we will find out if everything he has done up to this point was worth it. If he can win multiple sprints at the Long Course World Championships, people can say he is better off as a professional swimmer over yet another NCAA performer making the jump to international. No doubt he has a lot more international racing experience over other 18-19 year old swimmers on the USA roster; so perhaps it will pay off.

bobo gigi
6 years ago

Considering his current specialization, I imagine that he must pray that one day the 50s of stroke will be swum at olympic games. LA 2028?

Bigly
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Fast twitch is fast twitch. Look at Flo. He didn’t become the best 50 freestyler (for a time) without also becoming the best at 50’s of other strokes. MAs real game is the 50 free, and the fact that he trains and swims the other strokes in sprints only enhances it. You can’t just swim a 50 free and only the 50 free for 10 years.

Rafael
Reply to  Bigly
6 years ago

Bigly, but Manadou also had a Very Good 100 Free on Relays.. Which is something Andrew still has to Develop (His 100 free is probably his weaker 100) but he may have a shot on 100 Breast.. but even among the Juniors he is not the top 100 breast guy.. If he does not want to be a One Chance Guy he needs to develop or his 100 breast or his 100 free..

Dman
6 years ago

Actually short sprints at altitude would be assisting a swim not burdening one. Just sayin’.

science geek
Reply to  Dman
6 years ago

My thoughts exactly

Beverly Drangus
Reply to  Dman
6 years ago

Why is that?

Caleb
Reply to  Dman
6 years ago

Is the density/resistance of water affected equally as air? Yes, I am not a science major.

Tammy Touchpad Error
6 years ago

Wonder if this is a sign of a good 100 br to come this season. He will likely get on the pan pac team in the 50 (top 3), and I think he can win the 50 back to qualify for worlds, but I would like to see him figure out a LCM 100 sooner than later. 58 seems doable this year or next.

Jmanswimfan
Reply to  Tammy Touchpad Error
6 years ago

Disagree cause 58 is really really really really really really good

Taa
Reply to  Tammy Touchpad Error
6 years ago

With his 50 time you would expect him to be 59 low but he hasn’t been able to convert 50s into 100s yet. Maybe this week we can see something and think it is coming soon

USA USA USA
Reply to  Taa
6 years ago

He won’t be able to convert 50’s into 100’s because that is all he trains for

Michael
6 years ago

I think there might be a little typo in this sentence here about the 50 Free, “
Results for the final session, including Cielo’s 50 free final, weren’t available ass of posting.”

sven
Reply to  Michael
6 years ago

heh.

Teddy
Reply to  Michael
6 years ago

No typo. He finally listened to everyone on swimswam and increased bolume. The result is unfathomable. We were right!

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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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