U.S. International Team Trials: Nic Fink Clips Michael Andrew in 100 Breaststroke; Top-Two Times in World
The way they blazed through the 50-meter breaststroke, each man under the American record, the showdown between Michael Andrew and Nic Fink in the 100 breaststroke instantly became a must-watch event at the USA Swimming International Team Trials. On Friday night, they delivered on that promise.
During what was a terrifc session at the Greensboro Aquatic Center, Fink used a superb back half to claim victory over Andrew, a personal-best mark of 58.37 doing the job. Andrew was right behind in 58.51 as no other Americans able to break the one-minute barrier. Fink’s time is the fastest in the world this year, with Andrew slotting into the second spot.
The event brought together the opposing styles of a pair of Team USA veterans, the pure speed of Andrew against the greater endurance of Fink. While Andrew edged Fink in the final of the 50 breast, his mark of 26.52 good for a .03 triumph and an American record, Fink won the 200 breaststroke on the second day of competition. The 100 breaststroke offered the athletes a chance to meet in the middle.
Not surprising, Andrew surged to the front of the field behind his early speed. Turning in 27.38, Andrew had a .30 advantage over Fink at the wall. However, Fink quickly erased that deficit, emerging even with Andrew on the second pullout, and taking the lead not long after. Buoyed by his stronger closing ability, Fink wasn’t going to yield to Andrew down the stretch.
A triple medalist at last year’s World Short Course Championships, Fink will again see action at the World Champs in all three breaststroke events. This time, though, it will be long-course competition, and the opposition will present a greater challenge. If nothing else, Fink has enhanced his global reputation ahead of Budapest.
On the world scene, Fink is inarguably one of the most complete breaststrokers. His range across three distance is a testament to the work he is logging at Georgia Tech, and balancing against graduate-school courses. In the coming weeks, the 28-year-old will fine-tune his training for Budapest, where he’ll try to land his first individual medal at a long-course version of the World Champs.
“I definitely came into this meet wanting to do well in that one,” said Fink of the 100 breast, in which he placed third at last year’s Olympic Trials. “It’s not so much a redemption swim because that’s the reality of Olympic Trials…Those guys deserved to go. This was more of a goal for me this year to be better.”
In what is a familiar refrain, Andrew is constructing a busy schedule for the World Championships. With one day of action remaining at Trials, the 23-year-old is slated to contest the 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 50 breaststroke and 50 fly in Budapest. He could add the 50 freestyle and 200 individual medley on Saturday, if he opts to race both events.
Andrew is no stranger to multi-event programs at the international level, although at times during his career, he has embraced schedules which haven’t proven conducive to success. The key is determining a lineup which is manageable and will allow Andrew to contend for the podium, along with keeping him effective for relay duty.
Through their 58-point performances, Fink and Andrew have firmly positioned themselves as medal contenders at the World Champs. Sure, there is a considerable gap to the realm of Great Britain’s Adam Peaty, the two-time Olympic champ, and even Dutchman Arno Kamminga, the reigning Olympic silver medalist. Yet, momentum has been generated and a spot on the podium is not out of reach.
“It’s been a one-sided rivalry, and I’m happy to get my hand on the wall this time,” Fink said of his battle with Andrew. “He’s going to be ready to go at Worlds and we’re going to push each other. I keep dropping time, but he keeps setting the bar higher and higher. It’s a good little teamwork we’re having that will hopefully show up in Budapest.”
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