TYR Pro Series: Michael Andrew Goes 1:57 in 200 IM Prelims; Regan Smith Pops 58.81 in 100 Back
Entering the final day of the TYR Pro Series stop in Indianapolis, there is no doubt that Michael Andrew has been the meet’s premier performer. After narrowly missing the American record in the 100-meter breaststroke on Thursday, Andrew popped a sub-51 performance in the 100 butterfly on Friday night. Meanwhile, Saturday’s prelims brought another impressive marker.
Racing the 200 individual medley, Andrew posted a time of 1:57.17 to claim the top seed for finals and easily outdistance No. 2 qualifier Abrahm Devine (2:01.09). Given what Andrew has done in his other events, a much quicker performance seems to be in the offing for finals, and Andrew’s confidence must be surging one month away from the United States Olympic Trials in Omaha.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
While Andrew will be closely watched in the final of the 200 medley, the same can be said for Regan Smith and Phoebe Bacon in the 100 backstroke. A night after they each went 2:06 in the 200 backstroke, with Bacon prevailing, Smith took the top seed at half the distance with a morning swim of 58.81. Bacon was fourth in 1:00.82, but is expected to be much faster at night.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Virginia star Kate Douglass popped a time of 24.63 in the 50 freestyle to easily notch the top seed for the evening, with Catie Deloof going 25.11 for second. Douglass then went 2:11.47 to grab the top seed in the 200 individual medley, with UVA teammate Alex Walsh second in 2:11.88.
Emily Escobedo qualified fastest in the women’s 200 breaststroke, her time of 2:24.60 nearly three seconds ahead of the 2:27.59 of Lilly King. Earlier in the meet, King was 1:05 in the 100 breaststroke. On the men’s side, Jordan’s Amro Al-Wir went 2:12.40 for the top seed.
There were four sub-55 efforts in the men’s 100 backstroke, led by Hunter Armstrong in 54.46 and 2012 Olympic champion Matt Grevers in 54.73. In the men’s 50 free, Koko Bratanov qualified first in 22.47.
