Michael Andrew put USRPT up to its biggest test at the 2015 Jr World Championships, 5 races in one day–in one session. True, Andrew didn’t swim fast in all of his swims, but he did in 4 of 5 of them.
Michael Andrew and Peter Andrew (courtesy of Keith Allen)
Andrew’s overall summer was impressive with fast swims over three competitions, U.S. Jr Nationals, Sr. Nationals and Jr World Championships. Less than a month later he broke the 15-16 National Age Group record in the 100 yard butterfly, going 46.36.
While Andrew’s got his critics, and USRPT has even more, most of the swimming community agrees he’s on track to be a force in the future. How soon is the biggest question of all. Frankly, Andrew’s on the bubble. For young talent like him or Reece Whitley, they’ll have to pull off stunning drops in time to make the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team. It’s not out of the question, but making the team trip to Rio would be a dramatic chapter of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials narrative. One thing is certain. On the run-up to the 2020, Andrew will be center stage.
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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.
I can buy a lot of the science and rationale behind USRPT, but the belief that dryland/weights don’t help loses me. My experience as a coach shows how beneficial basic body weight exercises and weight training are.
I have kids who are totally different swimmers after even a few months of weights, the effect is undeniable given what I’ve seen, but if MA’s continuing to improve stick with what works till it breaks.
Has Michael Andrew essentially given up on 200s stroke? He keeps getting faster, but his endurance has waned this past year.
Not that there’s anything wrong with trying to be the next Florent Manaudou.
Remember he did not even broke a minute and 50 on those events so I don’t expect him going sub 1 on 100 breast and even final on 100 free. He is not even top 20 on this event. Also his jack of all trades will soon stop. With guys like Chalmers zhesi and Wang hin trying to do everything will backfire against the specialists
I andrew swims at winter nationals, I think that could tell us where he’s at. I think the 100 free for a place in the relay and 100 breast are his best shots in my opinion.
Out of topic again but I think a video on Dressel’s emergence as a perennial USA sprint star in Rio should be made
Didn’t Michael Thomas come 2nd in the 100m backstroke?
Out of topic. But i just saw the video of Mel making predictions about Phelps for Rio. Why didn’t you made an article about this?. I always like to see the comments when something like this happens :p
Already done. Scheduled for Monday.
saying Andrew will be center stage in the run up to 2020 is a rather bold statement. Right now I would say Ryan Murphy, Maxime Rooney, and Jack Conger will be the big stories…
Y’all, that’s five years from now. We don’t really have a good idea on who’s gonna make the team next year, let alone half a decade from now.
I think the swimmers you listed will be as well…. I don’t think it’s a bold statement to say M Andrew will be center stage in 2020. He’s going to be in the hunt on a lot of events. My personal opinion is that’s a safe bet.