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Up & Comers: Cavalier Aquatics’ Thomas Heilman
By Shoshanna Rutemiller
Fourteen-year old Thomas Heilman has been making a habit of knocking down national age group records. Since 2018, the Cavalier Aquatics (Va.) swimmer has collected more than his fair share of records in the boys’ 10-and-under, 11-12 and 13-14 age groups.
The number of records over the years in freestyle and butterfly is a testament to his work ethic:
10- and-under—Short Course: 100 yard butterfly (58.36)
11- 12—Short Course: 50 freestyle (21.50), 100 freestyle (47.15), 200 freestyle (1:44.28), 50 butterfly (22.87), 100 butterfly (50.82) and 200 butterfly (1:53.66)
13-14—Short Course: 200 free (1:36.25); Long Course: 100 meter freestyle (51.20) and 100 butterfly (54.45).
“I have coached Thomas only briefly, but continue to be impressed with the work he is able to accomplish daily,” says Coach Gary Taylor. “He performs at a high level both mentally and physically, which is truly outstanding at only 14 years of age.
“Having coached collegiately for more than 10 years, I believe it would be rare to find a 14-year-old who shows mental and physical capabilities similar to college swimmers. His prior coach, Mike Wenert, did a fantastic job setting him up for sustained success.”
Outside of the pool, Heilman still enjoys the other sports he recently stepped away from to focus on swimming. These include pick-up basketball games with friends, football with his brother and softball with his sister. He also enjoys helping coach his sister’s softball team and umpiring at local Little League baseball games.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU DO IN SWIMMING?
One aspect of my swimming I take pride in is my work ethic. I treat every workout as a chance to improve, and I give 100% effort and focus on a daily basis.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOUGHEST WORKOUTS/SETS YOU’VE DONE?
1. 20 x 100 @1:40 – Best Average Free (LC)
2. 3x the following in one set:
• 400 @ 4:45 – aerobic free
• 6 x 150 @1:50/1:45/1:40 by round – descending by round from aerobic to all-out
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT SWIMMING?
My favorite thing about swimming is that although everyone comes from different teams, at the end of the day everyone is part of the swimming family—and everyone is working toward the same goal of trying to improve each day.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR?
I am most looking forward to having more normalcy at meets. Last year, it took some time getting used to not having family in the stands or teammates on deck cheering you on. This year should be more exciting again with everyone back in the arena.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN SWIMMING…AND WHY?
The swimmer I look up to the most is my older brother, Matthew. He has been a member of the Cavalier Aquatics senior group for four years now, and he has taken on a big leadership role on the team, leading through his voice and his work ethic, in and outside of the pool. Matt is someone that I not only look up to, but someone the entire team aspires to be like at some point in their swimming career.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES?
When not in the pool, I enjoy playing basketball, playing chess and watching sports.
Click here to download the December 2021 issue of Swimming World, available now!
[Dressel Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher / USA Today Sports]
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FEATURES
014 2021 SWIMMERS OF THE YEAR
by Dan D’Addona, Matthew De George, John Lohn and David Rieder
World: Caeleb Dressel (Male American) & Emma McKeon (Female Pacific Rim)
Male Pacific Rim: Zac Stubblety-Cook
Female American: Katie Ledecky
European: Evgeny Rylov & Sarah Sjostrom
African: Ahmed Hafnaoui & Tatjana Schoenmaker
022 THE TOP 10 PERFORMANCES OF 2021
by John Lohn
Five-time Olympic champion Caeleb Dressel heads the list of the best swimming performances produced in 2021, thanks to his world record in the 100 meter butterfly at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Overall, the top 10 performances consisted of seven women’s efforts and three from the men. A further breakdown reveals seven individual swims and three world record-setting relays.
025 HONG KONG HERO
by David Rieder
People gathered in shopping malls, crowding in front of big screens to watch their national hero race for Olympic medals. Others watched on office conference room TVs, while passengers on the train had their mobile devices tuned to the Tokyo Games. What they saw was Siobhan Haughey become the first and only Olympian from Hong Kong to capture multiple medals—two silvers in the 100 and 200 freestyle.
032 ISHOF FEATURE: AQUATOTS MURDER CASE—THE KATHY TONGAY STORY (Part 3)
by Bruce Wigo
This is the final story of a three-part series about “The Aquatots Murder Case” regarding the death of 5-year-old Kathy Tongay and the subsequent murder charge against her father, Russell. This month’s episode: Russell Tongay’s appeal, life in (and out) of prison, what happened to Kathy’s brother, Bubber, and the impact the case had on age group sports in America.
044 NUTRITION: HOLIDAY/INTENSE TRAINING
by Dawn Weatherwax
To train hard, you need to eat hard! Make sure you put as much emphasis on nutrition and sleep as you would on your workouts.
COACHING
036 COACHING IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT (Part 2)
by Michael J. Stott
Last month, in Part 1, Swimming World explored how COVID-19 altered swim training as we have known it. This month, we look at some issues and opportunities facing club swimming as it strives to be the sport of choice for a younger generation.
042 SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: MAXIMIZING SWIMMING VELOCITY (Part 6)—THE PUSH PHASE
by Rod Havriluk
In freestyle and butterfly, swimmers typically decrease the push phase time to increase stroke rate and swimming velocity. In doing so, the premature upward motion of the elbows pulls the hands upward and compromises propulsion. Most swimmers can gain additional propulsion on the push phase by pushing the hand backward instead of pulling the hand upward.
045 SPECIAL SETS: ZOE DIXON—VERSATILITY IS KEY
by Michael J. Stott
Zoe Dixon, 2021-22 National Junior Team member, has had quite a year. Swimming for Coach Norm Wright at NOVA of Virginia, the 17-year-old is ranked No. 1 in Virginia and 11th nationally for the Class of 2022, and has committed to the University of Florida.
047 Q&A WITH COACH BRENT BOOCK, ELMBROOK SWIM CLUB (Wis.)
by Michael J. Stott
048 HOW THEY TRAIN CAMPBELL STOLL
by Michael J. Stott
TRAINING
041 DRYSIDE TRAINING: FINISH STRONG
by J.R. Rosania
JUNIOR SWIMMER
051 UP & COMERS: THOMAS HEILMAN
by Shoshanna Rutemiller
COLUMNS & SPECIAL SECTIONS
012 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT
013 DID YOU KNOW: ABOUT THE 1951 PAN AMERICAN GAMES?
028 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
050 HASTY HIGH POINTERS
052 GUTTERTALK
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