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Mark Andrew, YMCA Nationals record-holder and Olympic Trial qualifier, will join the University of Pennsylvania this fall. Andrew hails from Middletown High School in Middletown, Ohio and trains with the Great Miami Valley YMCA.
Andrew currently holds the YMCA Long Course Nationals record in the 400-meter IM with a 4:27.25, which also qualifies him for the 2016 Olympic Trials. He also holds the Ohio high school record in the 200-yard IM at 1:46.63. His top times truly indicate how well rounded a swimmer he is. In short course, he swims a 49.57 100-yard back and a 1:46.37 200-yard back. His distance free times are solid as well with a 4:25.44 500-yard free and 9:07.44 1000-yard free. His long course times are also impressive:
Great Miami Valley YMCA head coach Chris Bushelman credits Andrew’s success to his outstanding work ethic and determination. “Mark is tenacious in all he does,” Bushelman said.
Three years ago, Andrew did not even have a Short Course YMCA National Cut. “His goal was to make the Ohio High School State Meet by his senior year,” said Bushelman. “He also said ‘My name is Mark Andrew and I want to get to Olympic Trials.’”
Sure enough, when the Trial Cuts were released, Andrew’s Long Course Nationals time was 0.04 below the cut. “There was a huge sigh of relief,” Bushelman added.
Despite a respiratory infection at Juniors in Seattle, Andrew has been very successful in his senior year. He swept all four of his events at the Ohio High School Classic in Cincinnati, Ohio with all best times. At the Ohio High School State Meet, Andrew won the 200-yard IM and placed second in the 500-yard free.
Andrew is primed for success at Penn. His 3:47.94 400-yard IM time is exactly one and a half seconds under the school record. He will also be one of their top 500 free swimmers and backstrokers. His ability in the classroom – he graduated as valedictorian – makes him all the more ready for the Ivy League.
The Quakers finished fourth at the Ivy League Championships earlier this year.