Michael Andrew Begins Training at Arizona State University
A disappointing performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials denied Michael Andrew a spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team, with Andrew falling to eighth in the 100 breaststroke, an event in which he holds the American record, and fifth in the 50 freestyle. That prompted Andrew to make major training changes for the first time in his elite career.
After years of training alone under the guidance of his father, Peter Andrew, the swimmer announced he would join up with a new coach and train alongside fellow elite-level performers for the first time. That destination is Arizona State University, and Andrew will train under the guidance of Herbie Behm, the longtime sprint coach who became the Sun Devils’ head coach following the departure of Bob Bowman last March.
Andrew posted to his Instagram account Monday a photo alongside longtime ASU star Grant House from the deck at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, with both men making the school’s signature pitchfork symbol.
The 26-year-old is now living in Tempe, Ariz., after spending several years based in Southern California. Since his disappointing Trials, Andrew competed in two World Cup meets, in Shanghai and Incheon, but he did not record any top-three finishes before he returned to the United States.
Andrew owns one Olympic gold medal, having handled the breaststroke leg on the U.S. men’s 400 medley relay at the Tokyo Games. He has also won seven medals at the World Championships, including one relay gold, along with six gold medals at the Short Course World Championships. Andrew is slated to return to global competition next month at the Short Course World Championships, where he will represent the United States in the 50 and 100 breaststroke.