TYR Pro Series: Michael Andrew Tops Big-Name Field in 200 IM; Madisyn Cox Also Prevails

TYR Pro Series: Michael Andrew Tops Big-Name Field in 200 IM

As the United States Olympic Trials get closer, Michael Andrew will be forced to make some decisions concerning the program he will tackle in Omaha. With numerous options due to his all-stroke skills, it is likely that Andrew will have to put an event or two on the shelf in order to maintain freshness for the duration of the meet. Consider the 200 individual medley an event that will almost surely dodge the ax.

Although he faded on the closing freestyle leg, Andrew built a big enough lead over the first three strokes to easily win the 200 individual medley on Saturday night at the USA Swimming TYR Pro Series in San Antonio. Andrew, who won the 100 breaststroke earlier in the meet, posted a time of 1:58.05 to beat Abrahm Devine (1:59.65). The third through fifth positions were occupied by big names Andrew Seliskar (2:00.59), Chase Kalisz (2:00.79) and Ryan Lochte (2:01.71).

That final 50 remains a point of emphasis in his training.

“I wanted to be mid-57. I would’ve been really happy with that,” Andrew said via a virtual mixed zone. “But after the morning swim, we kind of assessed where we’re at and the goal was to really focus on a really quick last 50. We got that 29.6 (in the morning), which is still pretty average in terms of the competition and where we need to be at Trials, but it was a big improvement off my 1:56.8 in Des Moines last year. … But obviously that 30-point is still very slow in comparison to where it needs to be, so we have plenty to work on, but happy with the improvement over the morning and overall a good weekend and ready to get back to work.”

Andrew chose to bypass the 50 freestyle in San Antonio and place his focus on the 200 medley, but when Trials roll around, those events will not conflict on the schedule. Andrew is also likely to contest the 100 breaststroke, which is early in the program. What else he decides to race remains to be seen, but Andrew will need to be thoughtful about not overloading himself.

For Lochte, who is in the middle of heavy training, the 200 medley is probably his best opportunity to secure a ticket to a fifth Olympiad. Lochte noted in an interview on Friday night that he has been pleased with his work in practice and is optimistic about what is to come.

In the women’s version of the event, Madisyn Cox opened up a close battle with Kathleen Baker on the breaststroke leg and won in 2:10.84, with Baker following in 2:11.96. Cox was just .15 ahead of Baker at the midway point, but benefited from a 37.87 split on the breaststroke to take a comfortable lead. Melanie Margalis, the winner of the 400 IM earlier in the meet, was third in 2:12.68.

 Event 25  Women 200 LC Meter IM
=========================================================================
        World: W 2:06.12  8/3/2015  Katinka Hosszu, HUN
     American: A 2:06.15  7/27/2009 Ariana Kukors, USA
    U.S. Open: O 2:08.32  7/29/2018 Kathleen Baker, Team Elite-NC
     Jr World: J 2:09.98  1/29/2017 Rikako Ikee, JPN
     Pro Swim: P 2:08.66  2015      Katinka  Hosszu
                 2:15.26  W-II Oly Trials Wave II
                 2:17.39  W-I Oly Trials Wave I
    Name            Age Team              Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                            === A - Final ===                            
 
  1 Madisyn Cox      25 Longhorn Aquatic  2:13.99    2:10.84        
    r:+0.65  28.74      1:01.75 (33.01)
        1:39.62 (37.87)     2:10.84 (31.22)
  2 Kathleen Baker   24 Team Elite/NYAC   2:15.34    2:11.96        
    r:+0.66  29.01      1:01.90 (32.89)
        1:40.57 (38.67)     2:11.96 (31.39)
  3 Melanie Margali  29 Saint Petersburg  2:15.47    2:12.68        
    r:+0.70  29.53      1:03.46 (33.93)
        1:41.57 (38.11)     2:12.68 (31.11)
  4 *Bailey Andison  23 Una ISC           2:16.04    2:13.43        
    r:+0.67  29.51      1:04.04 (34.53)
        1:42.42 (38.38)     2:13.43 (31.01)
  5 Hali Flickinger  26 Sun Devil Swimmi  2:15.49    2:13.78        
    r:+0.74  28.79      1:02.65 (33.86)
        1:43.14 (40.49)     2:13.78 (30.64)
  6 Kathryn McLaugh  23 California Aquat  2:16.40    2:13.80        
    r:+0.73  28.27      1:02.88 (34.61)
        1:43.93 (41.05)     2:13.80 (29.87)
  7 *Monika Gonzale  25 Aggie Swim Club   2:18.01    2:18.36        
    r:+0.76  29.71      1:04.96 (35.25)
        1:45.27 (40.31)     2:18.36 (33.09)
  8 Lisa Bratton     24 Aggie Swim Club   2:17.30    2:19.04        
    r:+0.70  29.91      1:04.20 (34.29)
        1:46.18 (41.98)     2:19.04 (32.86)

 Event 26  Men 200 LC Meter IM
=========================================================================
        World: W 1:54.00  7/28/2011 Ryan Lochte, USA
     American: A 1:54.00  7/28/2011 Ryan Lochte, USA
    U.S. Open: O 1:54.56  7/10/2009 Ryan Lochte, Daytona Beach
     Jr World: J 1:57.06  7/27/2017 Qin Haiyang, CHN
     Pro Swim: P 1:56.32  2012      Michael Phelps
                 2:03.02  W-II Oly Trials Wave II
                 2:04.09  W-I Oly Trials Wave I
    Name            Age Team              Prelims     Finals       Points 
=========================================================================
                            === A - Final ===                            
 
  1 Michael Andrew   21 Race Pace Club    1:59.45    1:58.05        
    r:+0.74  24.82        54.75 (29.93)
        1:28.04 (33.29)     1:58.05 (30.01)
  2 Abrahm DeVine    24 Team Elite        2:02.77    1:59.65        
    r:+0.69  25.98        56.02 (30.04)
        1:30.93 (34.91)     1:59.65 (28.72)
  3 Andrew Seliskar  24 California Aquat  2:02.60    2:00.59        
    r:+0.63  25.69        55.52 (29.83)
        1:31.06 (35.54)     2:00.59 (29.53)
  4 Chase Kalisz     26 Athens Bulldog S  2:01.66    2:00.79        
    r:+0.70  26.23        57.34 (31.11)
        1:31.64 (34.30)     2:00.79 (29.15)
  5 Ryan Lochte      36 Gator Swim Club   2:02.03    2:01.71        
    r:+0.66  26.22        56.99 (30.77)
        1:32.37 (35.38)     2:01.71 (29.34)
  6 *Jacob Heidtman  26 Team Elite        2:03.41    2:02.42        
    r:+0.72  26.75        58.92 (32.17)
        1:33.94 (35.02)     2:02.42 (28.48)
  7 Jay Litherland   25 Dynamo Swim Club  2:03.15    2:03.32        
    r:+0.73  26.45        57.72 (31.27)
        1:34.03 (36.31)     2:03.32 (29.29)
  8 Grant Sanders    23 Gator Swim Club   2:02.62    2:05.81        
    r:+0.71  26.37        57.84 (31.47)
        1:34.87 (37.03)     2:05.81 (30.94)

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

Name*

Email*

1 Comment

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Dan Slick

3 years ago

Interesting that Katie Ledecky’s last 50 on her 800 was faster than Andrews’ in this race.