Michael Andrew downs 15-16 NAG in 100 fly, winning Jr. National title

Michael Andrew made the first foray into the National Age Group (NAG) record book at this year’s Junior National Championships, going 52.57 to break the 15-16 NAG in the 100 fly.

That event also served as Andrew’s second Junior National Title – he won the 100 backstroke last summer.

Andrew jumped out to a big lead in the opening 50, really surging away from the pack in the last 15 meters into his turn. That front-half speed led the Indie Swimming 16-year-old to sneak under his personal best by three tenths and crack a NAG record he’s had in his sights for the past several weeks.

Andrew was a 52.82 last weekend, rattling the record held by Justin Lynch at 52.75.

The 16-year-old is now also about half a second away from the Junior World Record of 51.91 set by Li Zhuhao at last summer’s Asian Games. Andrew will have just over two more years to chase that record.

Interestingly enough, Andrew’s strategy of hitting a big front-end speed made his splits almost exactly mirror those put up by Lynch in his record-breaking swim back in 2013.

Here’s a look at the splits:

Lynch swam his race at the 2013 U.S. Nationals, which also served as the World Champ Trials. He was 9th overall that year.

This is the second 15-16 NAG record for Andrew in addition to being his second Junior National Championship. After rewriting much of the 11-12 and 13-14 record books, Andrew holds the 100 fly and 100 breast records in the 15-16 age group. He’ll have a shot to better that 100 breast record at Senior Nationals next week, and will also swim the 100 back, 200 IM and 50 free later on this weekend.