Thomas Heilman Blasts NAG (15-16) Record in 100 Butterfly at Junior Pan Pacs; Goes Stunning Sub-52
Following a pair of silver-medal showings at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships, Thomas Heilman moved up a step on the podium on Friday night, and the 15-year-old did so in style.
Dueling with Australia’s Jesse Coleman throughout the race, Heilman edged ahead at the wall and prevailed with a time of 51.98, making him the first American 15- or 16-year-old to crack the 52-second barrier. Heilman broke the National Age Group record for the 15-16 classification, which was formerly held by Luca Urlando at 52.40. It was Heilman’s second NAG standard of the meet, complementing his earlier record in the 100 freestyle.
Heilman went 52.75 during the morning prelims, but it appeared he had plenty in reserve for the championship race. Heilman was impressive off the start, going 24.73 for his opening lap and closing in 27.25. Coleman actually had the lead at the 50-meter mark, thanks to a split of 24.57, but his 27.66 over the last 50 meters yielded ground to the rising American star. Coleman stopped the clock in 52.23, which was also under the former meet record of 52.37, set by New Zealand’s Daniel Bell in 2009.
A multi-event talent, Heilman has made NAG record-breaking a habit, whether in the short-course pool or the Olympic-sized pool. Going sub-52 is a significant achievement for any athlete in the 100 fly, and Heilman’s ability to join that club at just 15 years old speaks to his precocious talent.
Event 21 Men 100 LC Meter Butterfly
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Jr World: J 50.62 6/30/2017 Kristof Milak, HUN
Jr. Pan Pac: M 52.37 1/10/2009 Daniel Bell, New Zealand
Name Year Team Prelims Finals FINA Points
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=== A - Final ===
1 Heilman, Thomas 07 USA-US- 52.75 51.98M 863 9
24.73 51.98 (27.25)
2 Coleman, Jesse 04 Australia- 52.43 52.23M 851 7
24.57 52.23 (27.66)
3 Matsushita, Tom 05 Japan- 54.10 53.38 797 6
25.31 53.38 (28.07)
4 Shackell, Aaron 04 USA-US- 53.96 53.54 790 5
25.07 53.54 (28.47)
5 Senc-Samardzic, 05 Canada- 54.55 53.82 778 4
25.47 53.82 (28.35)
6 Petric, William 04 Australia- 54.67 53.86 776 3
25.34 53.86 (28.52)
7 Shinkai, Seiya 04 Japan- 54.32 54.14 764 2
25.55 54.14 (28.59)
8 Dongfang, Bill 05 Canada- 54.80 54.49 749 1
25.94 54.49 (28.55)