Michael Andrew goes pro at 14

Former Member
Former Member
He's the youngest US swimmer to go pro. Phelps was 15 when he went pro, but at that point he was already an Olympian. swimswam.com/.../ swimswam.com/.../
  • Hopefully someone in his entourage is testing the supplement he's endorsing. Not saying there's necessarily anything wrong with it, but supplement manufacturers have been know to use banned substances... and not only caught, but prevented from being on an olympic team!
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    and not only caught, but prevented from being on an olympic team! Andrew hasn’t been fourteen long. His birthday was April 18th, and just last weekend in Iowa City he became the fastest 13-14 year old over the 50 meter freestyle in American history with a 23.47. That’s the 11th National Age Group (NAG) Record he holds, and he’s broken 32 NAG Records since he started making waves in the pool. Im not sure why but I seriously feel as if one of the best swimmers whose come across our team we not 23.27 no idea why, I'll check it upup
  • Hopefully someone in his entourage is testing the supplement he's endorsing. Not saying there's necessarily anything wrong with it, but supplement manufacturers have been know to use banned substances...
  • This has so many problems.I'm fine that he is home schooled.Our youngest was home schooled and that was what we thought was best for her.In Oregon anyway a home schooled kid can compete for the local high school if they want.I don't have a problem with race pace training,it's what I do(or will again when my shoulder gets better.)What I have a problem with is the total lack of a plan B.This kid is good,at 14.He is also big for his age.How much is he going to improve.It is basically Olympics or bust for him now.What if he gets to be the 4th best swimmer in the country and has a bad Olympic Trials and finishes 7th.If he took a traditional route he'd have club,HS and college success.This way,what,is he a failure?
  • I'm uncomfortable with it as well, but he's not shut out of college, he just can't swim for his college team. If his sponsorship money is well-managed, he won't have to worry about paying for college either.
  • Ditto to all of the above expressed opinions. As for #4, just like (we should have) in separation of church and state, can we please also have separation of church and sport? PLEASE???
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    In general I don't think top athletes should delay going pro, but he isn't a top athlete yet. Hopefully in a few years. I wish him the best but there are a few things from the interview and article that kind of stood out: 1. His coach is his dad so he doesn't train with a team. 2. He and his sister are named Michael and Michaela. 3. He has a parrot named Rio, the 2016 summer Olympic host. 4. He said he is going pro to help spread the word of our lord. It will be hard to qualify in the 50 free at 17, but if he can keep improving he has a good chance at the 100 free relay at least, if not more events.
  • 4. He said he is going pro to help spread the word of our lord. Ugh! I agree with Elaine. This will cause me to root against him.
  • Ugh! I agree with Elaine. This will cause me to root against him. If he's totally sheltered by homeschooling, dad coaching and the evangelical sub-culture, it might be really interesting to see what happens when he gets exposed to the bigger world outside his little bubble... Does seem a bit creepy the way it's all being told here.
  • I try not to judge other people's parenting and I genuinely wish the kid the best, but the whole thing gives me the heebie jeebies. Ditto. Just a few too many red flags.
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