Turkey’s Jerome Heidrich Sprinting Toward Dreams
Jerome Heidrich fell in love with the comfort and silence of being underwater at a young age. His father was a member of the Turkish National Basketball Team, and athletic prowess has always been a part of his DNA.
In the summer of 2015, while Heidrich attended college in the United States, his life changed forever with the passing of his mother. He found a new perspective on life and made the choice to commit fully to everything he did, turning his collegiate swimming career around and becoming more focused. Good grades and fast times were a quick result, and soon after he followed in his father’s footsteps and began representing Turkey internationally – in his sport of swimming.
After the decision to commit all of his energy to his sport, he made the choice to transfer from Wingate in North Carolina to a more competitive environment on the West Coast, representing Cal Baptist University. Heidrich graduated from CBU with a bachelor’s in psychology in 2018 and a master’s in performance psychology in 2019.
His experience at Cal Baptist was enjoyable, highlighted by “great food, a great team, and amazing coaching staff,” caring and supportive of their athletes inside and outside the pool. Some of his racing highlights include finishing as the 2019 Western Athletic Conference champion in the 50, 100 and 200 free in respective times of 19.53, 42.91 and 1:35.64.
Though he had degrees and possibilities to pursue a hugely successful academic career, the sport of swimming still called to him and he continued to pursue a pro career swimming on an international level. The 2017 European Short Course Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark marked his first experience as part of the Turkish National Team.
“It was an incredibly good experience. Seeing all those top athletes really gave me an idea of what I want to be in the future,” Heidrich said.
Photo Courtesy: Cal Baptist University
He continued to train, eager for more international successes. The European Championships in 2019 marked a highlight in his career. Swimming in the final of the 200 medley relay was an awe-inspiring experience for Heidrich that solidified his desire to pursue the sport on a pro-level. The team finished in fifth place with Heidrich anchoring in 21.56.
“It was an absolutely amazing experience. Walking out to the blocks with flames shooting out left and right of the walkway gave me instant goosebumps,” he said.
Heidrich has had his fair share of job experience. He’s worked at a warehouse in Germany loading boxes, sold credit cards at the airport, fundraised for organizations like Amnesty International and Green Peace, tutored, and been a TA. But experiences like relay finals at the European Championships have captured his heart in a way that these other careers cannot.
“Racing is the greatest feeling in the world,” he said.
The desire to continue swimming comes first in his life, as he makes the necessary decisions and sacrifices to pursue his athletic endeavors.
“I had to figure things out along the way,” he said. “Whether that’s working on a Visa to stay in the U.S., reaching out to ISL teams, or finding a regular salary as a swimmer, it’s exciting. And (I do) all that just to swim my heart out.”
Now, Heidrich trains with Dave Salo with the NOVA Podium Swim Team, and is surrounded in practices by a group of elite athletes.
“It’s been nothing but awesome,” he said. “Practice is always fun and entertaining. And with Dave you never know who is going to show up for a guest visit.”
The group has been steadily growing, now larger with almost 20 athletes, as opposed to the early pandemic days where numbers were much smaller. As Heidrich continues to train towards a career in pro swimming, he has his sights set on pursuing a Ph.D. to become a professor, all the while keeping racing at the forefront of his life, pursuing excellence in all he does.