Yet again, National Age Group Records for 14-year old Michael Andrew have come in a set of three this weekend in Plantation, Florida at the Speedo Championship Series sectionals meet.
First came the 100 fly, then came the 100 back, and now he’s taken down the 13-14 boys’ 100 free record on Sunday evening to close the meet.
Andrew swam a 51.30 in the 100 long course meter freestyle, which broke Noel Strauss’ 1987 record of 51.59. Strauss, you will recall, was the Jr. National Champion in the 50 free at just 13 years old.
That time placed Andrew 4th in the 100 free in Plantation, and now gives him a grand total of 14 out of 28 National Age Group Records in yards and meters combined.
Interestingly enough, Strauss’ swim wasn’t the oldest 13-14 boys NAG Record; it wasn’t even close, in fact. Jesse Vassallo’s 1976 time of 15:31.03 in the 1500 free still remains on the books.
Andrew also placed 4th on Sunday in his last event, the 200 back; he swam a 2:05.94 after a 2:04.06 in prelims.
Michael Andrew is certainly idolized by a significant number of age group swimmers at every meet he attends. Kids have been asking for his autograph and photos with him for the past couple years.
Rafael,
Put yourself in the shoes of a 17 yo female high school swimmer who just came off a great season of USRPT training. Yes, they keep up with Nichael Andrew.
The “Michael Andrew Effect” is real. Our HS girls team, which uses USRPT, definitely have been affected if you know what I mean. Move over Phelps, Missy and Lochte. There’s a new idol in town.
New Idol over Phelps without having Any Major medal? Too Soon… Building a Idol which is not yet even close to be called a Great Swimmer ( He is a phenomenal age swimmer.. but can´t be called a Great Legendary swimmer when saw globally)
IDK if there is a small lag time in making an adjustment from yards to long course. I assume that with his training, that kind of specificity isn’t happening. But, Michael did just come off a short course meet in Jenks, and was swimming in a pool that is 2x as long (plus 14 feet). He followed up a great short course Sectional with a great long course meet.
I loved watching him swim, I enjoyed talking with his parents (they love the pool here), and I wish him all success in the years to come. I’m impressed by his attitude. graciousness, and drive.
I also am a bit dismayed by some of the negative comments about his records,… Read more »
How many NAG’s does he have now, in each distance?
I believe it’s 6/14 in long course, and 9/14 in short course. He’d have to get the 400 IM, 200 fly, and 200 back in long course to even them out. Tall order by April, but I think the 400 IM could happen. 200 back is less likely, but he does so well over the water that anything could happen if he’s feelin’ it. 200 fly? No way.
This is a 4-year old video interview of Mr Strauss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL9rWXJ7BpY
It was time to break that old record.
It was an impressive record.
51.30 in 1987! Wow! Without all the technology of today.
I understand why so many swimmers have struggled to break it.
For the 464th time of the season, I say congrats to Michael Andrew for his 464th NAG record.
And you write he’s used to breaking the NAG records in a set of 3. Hopefully for him, he will also break the world records in a set of 3. 🙂
Sorry. 51.59 in 1987. Still impressive.
Incredibly Strauss was a full 5″ shorter than Andrew when he set that record. http://articles.latimes.com/1987-08-13/sports/sp-1182_1_800-meter-freestyle Interestingly I heard that he also completed a massive amount of race-pace specific training (highly unusual at the time) whilst training under coach Blair at Little Rock.
I trained with Blair in 1988 and you are correct. He was big on race paced training. He built quite a sprint group that summer (I was a 200 Backstroker unfortunately), Steve Crocker, Mike Neuhoffel and a host of other college sprinters made the pilgrimage to Little Rock that Summer for Olympic Trials sprint specific training.