Mike Alexandrov (Training Partner)

In November 2007, Lochte told Swimming World magazine that he had been training with Mike Alexandrov, and attributed his "speedy" peformance at short course nationals to that training. http://www.swimtechnique.com/lane9/news/16349.asp?q=USA%20Short%20Course%20National%20Championships:%20Day%20Two%20Finals,%20Club%20Wolverine%20Blasts%20American,%20U.S.%20Open%20Relay%20Record.

Mikhail "Mike" Alexandrov is 23 years old and was born in Bulgaria, but was mostly raised in the U.S. He swam for Northwestern University from 2003-2007 and was a teammate of Matt Grevers. His specialties are breastroke and IM. In his senior year, Mike won the NCAA championship for 100y breast. He also swam breast in Northwestern's 400y medley relay, which placed first in the NCAA championships.

Mike competed for Bulgaria at the 2004 Olympics in the 200 IM (prelims), 200 free (prelims) and 200 breast (prelims). He also swam for Bulgaria at the 2008 Olympics in 200IM (prelims), 100 breast (semi-finals) and 200 breast (prelims).

Recently, at the 2008 SC Nationals, Mike placed first in both the 100y and 200y breast. He also placed 1st in the "B" final of the 200y IM, and his time of 1:44.94 was 7th best overall. Mike holds the American Record in 100y breast at 51.56. After the 2008 Olympics, Mike decided it is his goal to swim for the U.S. national team going forward rather than Bulgaria.

I have to say, it was kind of difficult to find much information about Mike, even though he is amazingly accomplished and talented, and one of the best in swimming. Perhaps it's because up until now, other than college, he's competed for Bulgaria rather than the U.S. I hope that as swimming becomes more popular in the U.S., more of the top competitors of all nationalities will become better known.

After learning about Mike's career and strengths, I can see why Ryan wanted to train with him. It's possible that training with Mike was a big reason why Ryan's breaststroke improved so much last year.