U.S. International Team Trials: Michael Andrews Buzzes American Record, Lilly King Tops in 50 Breast

Michael Andrew; Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

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U.S. International Team Trials: Michael Andrews Buzzes American Record, Lilly King Tops in 50 Breast

A routine set of 50 breaststroke heats at the U.S. International Team Trials got a jolt on the last swim, with Michael Andrew nearly downing an American record.

There’s no surprise in the top seeds in Thursday night’s final, with Lilly King setting the pace for the women and Andrew for the men. But Andrew’s time of 26.78 nearly downed the American record of 26.76, owned since 2015 by Kevin Cordes.

It’s a personal best time for Andrew and the second-fastest American time ever. Making it all the more impressive was that it came on the heels of Andrew finishing third in prelims of the 100 butterfly with a time of 51.57. That will challenge for the second spot in Budapest, with Caeleb Dressel out in front in the chase for the win.

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Andrew led the way in the final heat. He was .13 seconds up on Nic Fink, the co-champion in the 200 breast, who went 26.91. Kevin Houseman is in the A final in 27.22, followed by 33-year-old Brandon Fischer in 27.36.

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King, the American record holder, handled matters fairly easily, winning the fifth and final prelims heat in 30.39 seconds on the women’s side. King is the two-time reigning World Champion in the 50 breaststroke.

King’s time was well clear of Kaitlyn Dobler, who won the third heat in 30.72, and Lydia Jacoby, who won the fourth heat. The reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 100 breast went 31.08, ahead of Hannah Bach of Ohio State by .01.

Among the A finalists is 34-year-old Danielle Herrmann (fifth in 31.44) and 17-year-old Lucy Thomas (sixth in 31.65).

Only one swimmer qualifies for the 50-meter strokes at Worlds.

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