Michael Andrew‘s Speed Hints at Potential Success at US Trials
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A recent performance in the 25-yard freestyle suggests the swimmer is hitting his stride before the major competition.
As elite American swimmers gear up for the U.S. National Championships adn World Championship Trials in INDIANAPOLIS from June 3-7, indicators of potential top performers are emerging.
One notable sign comes from a recent performance by Michael Andrew, who clocked an 8.56-second 25-yard freestyle in a non-official setting. This time unofficially breaks the Arizona State record for a touchpad-timed 25 free.
While the 25 free might be viewed skeptically by some,it holds meaning within arizona State’s sprint program,which heavily emphasizes 25-yard times. The university even hosts an annual 25-yard “World Championship” meet.
Contextual data includes Andrew’s 9.03-second performance at the November championship after several months of training at Arizona State. Jack Dolan won that bracket in 8.71 seconds, making Andrew’s recent time .15 seconds faster.
Comparisons can also be drawn to Gui Caribe’s 8.65-second split on the first 25 of his 50-yard free at the NCAA Championships, where he placed third. While not a perfect comparison due to differing timing methods (feet on a turn versus touchpad), it provides a reference point. Caeleb Dressel once split 8.48 seconds en route to his legendary 17.63-second 50-yard free.
This season marks the first time that Andrew is primarily training with a coach other than his father, Peter Andrew, and outside of the USRPT swimming framework. Arizona State’s focus on race-speed training aligns well with this transition.
Despite changes in Andrew’s training, expectations remain high. Increased training volume has led to inconsistent in-season swims. His times in the 50 free were 22.82 seconds in Westmont and 22.04 seconds in Sacramento, though a 21.97-second swim in Ft. Lauderdale showed promise.
A more traditional taper drop is anticipated for Andrew, and indications suggest that the rest period is beginning to take effect approximately 10 days before the Trials.
Implications for US Trials
The specific events Andrew will swim at the US Trials with his new training regimen remain unknown. Though, his recent 25-yard free time is generally a positive indicator, particularly for his 50-yard performance.
“This 25 yard free time is, generally, a positive sign, and, more specifically, a positive sign for his 50.”
swimming Terminology and Training Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a taper drop in swimming?
- A taper drop refers to the reduction in training volume and intensity leading up to a major competition, allowing the swimmer to recover and perform at their best.
- What is USRPT swimming?
- USRPT (Ultra-Short Race-Pace Training) is a training methodology that focuses on high-intensity, short-duration workouts at race pace.
- why is the 25-yard freestyle time significant?
- While not an official event, the 25-yard freestyle time can provide insights into a swimmer’s speed and form, particularly in sprint programs that emphasize this distance.
