NEW COMMIT: Bloomington, Ill. butterflyer and high school junior Julia Heimstead has declared her verbal intention to swim for the University of Arizona beginning in the fall of 2020.
Heimstead does her club swimming with Waves Bloomington/Normal Y and is a three-time Junior National qualifier with a U.S. Open standard in the 100 fly. She placed 17th in the 100m fly at Juniors this summer after winning the event and posting four best times at IL LCM Seniors. She finished tenth in her signature event at Juniors West last winter where she recorded three lifetime bests.
Also representing Normal Community High School, Heimstead is a three-time Illinois State Championship finalist in addition to earning both NISCA and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors. She finished second in the 100 fly and ninth in the 200 IM as a sophomore after placing tenth in the former during her freshman season.
She told Swimming World:
“So excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Arizona! I want to thank my family, friends, and @coachyourd for supporting me throughout this journey. I can’t wait to be a wildcat! BEARDOWN”
Her best times include:
- 100 fly – 53.87
- 200 fly – 2:02.49
- 200 IM – 2:04.12
- 400 IM – 4:23.32
When she arrives in Tucson as a member of the class of 2024, Heimstead will join current freshman Vicky Navarro to add butterfly depth following the graduation of top seniors. Even with two years of club swimming still to go before suiting up for the Wildcats, her best 100 fly time would’ve scored in the B-final of the 2018 Pac-12 Championships.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Bear Down!