Swimming Video capture/edit – GMM
2014 Arena Grand Prix Orlando – 100 backstroke – Swimming NAG Record by Jared Anderson
It just wouldn’t be a Grand Prix event without a Michael Andrew NAG record, now would it?
The 14-year-old bettered his own 100 backstroke mark at finals Friday night, going 57.13 to cut another two tenths off the 13-14 National Age Group record he set at the last Grand Prix stop in Austin, Texas (57.38).
The swim came after a relatively slow start in Orlando for Andrew. He was just off his NAG in the 100 breast, quietly swam into the C final of the 100 fly and scratched out of an intriguing 400 IM matchup with German 14-year-old Johannes Hintze on Thursday night, and was also a ways off his 50 free NAG record earlier Friday night before finally breaking through in the 100 back. That seems vaguely reminiscent of his performance in Austin, where he also took a few events before heating up to break multiple NAGs.
As always with Andrew, the weekend will continue with several more NAG opportunities, including the C final of the 50 later on tonight.
I have known Michael for a long time. To those who believe that his parents are in this for themselves, you are are dead wrong. The kid is super smart, super talented, super grounded, and is on a mission to revolutionize the sport. His sister is all that too.
At 14 he is beating kids 4 or 5 years older, who are stronger, more developed, and supposedly trained by some of the best coaches around. Yet, this kid trains in his background in a three lane pool, and freely discusses his training techniques. Stop the hate and enjoy how this kid has turned the norm upside down
He puts his religious beliefs front and center. He speaks “we” everything. . . we warmed up, we swam, we broke a record, we are happy, we are not. His “we” his his Dad. He doesn’t go to school. He trains in his backyard. He went pro at 14. His training program is a new kind of dogma in and of itself. I like the kid and hope he blows up the sport, but let’s be real here — we aren’t picking on him by pointing these things out. He’s doing things differently in more than one way. It’s not like when MP dropped the “we” with Bowman.
Jesus Christ
The hat is a bit ridiculous and the whole “we” talk scares me. I’m worried about the kid. Can swimswam do a video interview with the dad on philosophy, methods, pressure, age, progression etc? That would be awesome. Thanks.
That’s what is great about the family, they don’t care what everyone thinks and are doing what they think is right and following a path that works for them. I’m curious why you are so offended or put off by the hat? Is a religious message so offensive to you, but a sponsor is ok?
Phelps always said “We” when referring to him and Bowman. It’s not uncommon to hear a swimmer refer to his coach and himself as we since they consider it a joint effort.
What do you care what kind of hat he wears? Is there something that would be SPRINTDUDE9000 approved that he could throw on?
Well JUSTIN THOMPSON, now that you’ve mentioned it I have a few “I <3 SPRINTDUDE9000" hats for sale. Please get in touch if you'd like to purchase one 😉
If you have any SPRINTDUDE9050 hats I maybe interested…SPRINTDUDE9000 is a scrub…lasts years model:)
Wow, the hats are getting better and better! :O
Great swim though, congrats!