Will Swim Star Michael Andrew Make the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team?

Gold Medal Minute presented by SwimOutlet.com

Michael Andrew shocked us all at the San Antonio Pro Swim opting out of the 50m free to focus on the 200m IM.  He was out fast in 200 IM final, touching in 54.75 at the 100.  He built his lead with 33.29 breast split, closing in a 1:58.05–enough for the win over Abraham DeVine and Andrew Seliskar.

  1. Michael Andrew (Race Pace), 1:58.05
  2. Abrahm DeVine (Team Elite), 1:59.65
  3. Andrew Seliskar (Cal Aquatics), 2:00.59

Michael’s personal best is 1:56.83 from the 2020 Des Moines Pro Swim Series, one of the last meets before the coronavirus pandemic shut down competition around the world. His 1:58.05 in San Antonio is now the top time in the United States this season, and he climbs to 8th in the 2020-2021 World Rankings.

The other morsel of intel from the San Antonio Pro Swim was that Michael said he’s doing triple workouts. I understand with his USRPT method that may not be enormous yardage, but triples are still triples. Triple workouts are the domain of Bob Bowman and Michael Phelps. I was surprised to hear Michael Andrew‘s doing them–but he did add he’s a little concerned about doing three 200 IMs at Olympic Trials. Those triples might put him over the edge in Omaha at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.

2021 U.S. Olympic Trials Predictions

I’m a fan from Michael Andew’s early age group days. I want him to make the U.S. Olympic Team in the 200 IM, but I don’t know if he can. I think he’s 1:55.9 to 1:56.3 for 2nd, 3rd or 4th place… And, if he pulls it off, he will be the first man in U.S. history to make the U.S. Olympic Team in the 200 IM and the 50 free. 50 free? 21.4. 100 breast? I roomed with breaststrokers my entire career. I didn’t understand then, and I don’t now. But who cares what I think. What do you think? Give me your best expert swimming analysis.

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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.

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bennjie
2 years ago

if he goes to japan…..wins stuff…..everyone gets drunk…..trashes bathrooms……arrest warrants……uses the free condoms on loose italian gals…..na…..stay home and go to church……..

Gheko
2 years ago

He has as good a shot as anybody else!

dresselgoat
2 years ago

MA gets too much crap from these boards as well. He goes 21.4 and 1:56 in the IM. Those times are as elite as they come and I can’t think of many folk who have done that spread of events that fast.

dresselgoat
2 years ago

His first 150 is pretty incredible. If he can get back in a 28.7-29.0 he will make the team and maybe fight for a medal.

A C
2 years ago

What about this swimswam question: Which swimmers, if any, who competed in the recent NCAA Championships will make the U.S. Olympic Team?

commonwombat
2 years ago

A view from outside the US.

He’s “in the picture” for maybe 3 events (200IM,50FR, maybe 100BRS) but a countering argument can well be made that he’s not necessarily on the top row of betting in any of them. Nor does is he likely to have the “get out of jail” card of being a front-line candidate for either FS relay.

Will he make the team ? I think so, but quite possibly only for 1 event (most likely 200IM).

Taa
2 years ago

I think he is all in on the 200IM. Its the one race he has a chance to win in Tokyo. There is no time left to play around and experiment. He just has to work his hardest and hope for the best.

Spectatorn
2 years ago

too bad there are only a few meets left before trial – I think he said he has 2 or 3 left in his blog. MA swim fast in season and taper used to mean little to his time (at least in the past).

If how he swam in the past is any indicator or relevant… Looking at his 2019 and 2020 season at PSS (LCM). His 2IM dropped almost 2 sec from prelim to final and at least 0.7s for 100 Br. At SA, his times were not showing the same improvement between heat and final. I don’t know if his current method will mean differently for his “taper”, or he just need more racing. It is exciting to… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Spectatorn

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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