WATCH: Thomas Heilman Blasts 52.44 to Become 2nd Fastest U.S. 15-16 Year-Old

2022 SPEEDO JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

BOYS 100 BUTTERFLY – FINALS

  • World Junior Record: 50.62, Kristof Milak (HUN) – 2017
  • 13-14 NAG: 53.27, Thomas Heilman (2021)
  • 15-16 NAG: 52.40, Luca Urlando (2018)
  • 17-18 NAG: 51.10, Michael Phelps (2003)

Top 8 Finishers:

  1. Bryce Halterman (Paseo Aquatics Swim Team) – 52.33
  2. Thomas Heilman (Cavalier Aquatics) – 52.44
  3. David Schmitt (Evolution Racing Club) – 53.32
  4. Scotty Buff (Greater Toledo Aquatic Club) – 53.37
  5. Conor McKenna (Lakeside Aquatic Club) – 53.68
  6. Connor Foote (Streamline Aquatics) – 54.11
  7. Nate Germonprez (Inspire Swim Team) – 54.27
  8. Zachary Tamusaitis (Blast Sharks) – 54.56

At the 2022 Speedo Junior Championship in Irvine, 15-year-old rising star Thomas Heilman roared to 52.44 in the boys’ 100 fly. That’s a huge personal best for Heilman, improving on the 52.87 he set in April at International Team Trials.

With this swim, he lowers his fastest U.S 15-year-old of all-time mark and moves up to second in the 15-16 age group. He moves up from fourth place, now the only American 15-16 year-old faster than him is Luca Urlando, who clocked 52.40 at 2018 Junior Pan Pacs for the National Age Group record. As he’s only 15 with the age-group record already in his grasp, he has a good chance to break it before he ages up.

Split Comparison Heilman at Junior Nationals vs. International Team Trials

Heilman – Junior Nationals Heilman – International Team Trials
50 24.43 24.94
100 52.44 (28.01) 52.87 (27.93)

Heilman made his move on the first 50, going out almost half a second faster than he did in Greensboro. He was slower coming back that he was in Greensboro, but only by .08 seconds.

Despite being slower than his previous self, Heilman made a push for the win on the second 50, out-splitting 17-year-old Bryce Halterman, 28.01 to 28.32. Heilman ultimately wasn’t able to pass Halterman and touched the wall second, just .11 seconds behind.

Earlier in the meet, Heilman won the 100 free, becoming the first 15-year-old to break 50 seconds in the event. He still has the 50 free and 200 free left on his schedule.

Halterman’s swim is also worth mentioning. The Michigan recruit went 52.33 to win, moving up to fifth-fastest 17-18 boy all-time. In the ‘C’ final, Rowan Cox dropped a 54.53, moving from fourth to second American all-time in the 13-114 boys age bracket. Only Heilman himself has been faster at that age, with a 53.27.

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Dee swam swam
2 years ago

Halterman is 5th all-time 17-18. I have never seen a sports news outlet promote the second place finisher. Halterman won the meet and set a new meet record and 5th all-time. Seems odd to me. Heilman will be there next year but man give Halterman some respect.

Pvdh
Reply to  Dee swam swam
2 years ago

Heilmans swim is significantly more Impi

Dee swam swam
Reply to  Pvdh
2 years ago

No

Swim nerd
Reply to  Dee swam swam
2 years ago

Although I see your point, you need to remember two things. First of all, heilman is a bigger name, so it will Garner more clicks for the site. Second of all, being 52.4 at 15 is much more impressive than 52.3 at 17. Once again, I would have liked to see more recognition be given to halterman, but zi understand why the focused on heilman

Mike
2 years ago

Kid’s gonna swim 51 before he is 17 thats crazy

Zanna
2 years ago

Halterman does not look 17, Heilman does not look 15 😳

Mott
Reply to  Zanna
2 years ago

Halterman looks older than the entire Worlds team

Troyy
Reply to  Zanna
2 years ago

Halterman looks like he should have kids and a mortgage wtf

Pvdh
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

That dude looks 35 in that video lol oof

greg
Reply to  Zanna
2 years ago

Maybe we can stop commenting on how teenage boys look. Yes, we all know that development is different for everyone, but commenting on how young swimmers look is toxic and inappropriate.

Guy
2 years ago

How the heck did Halterman go from a 57.1 to a 52.3 in a year?

Michael Andrew Wilson
Reply to  Guy
2 years ago

Looks like from March to December of 2021 he went from 49.9 to 46.9 in SCY, so 52 in LCM this summer seems plausible. But yeah that’s still a heck of a drop.

Mr Piano
Reply to  Guy
2 years ago

fr, probably gonna go 48 in LA

Dee swam swam
Reply to  Guy
2 years ago

Look at his short course time. Went from 51 to a 46.9 in a year

Swimmyswammy
2 years ago

At first glance of the article, I thought Thomas won

Thomas
2 years ago

I can’t tell if I love or hate the winner’s celebration

Guy
Reply to  Thomas
2 years ago

Love it

Dee swam swam
Reply to  Thomas
2 years ago

Love it!

Peregrin Falcon
Reply to  Thomas
2 years ago

Not good! C’mon man. This will come back on him some day.

Swimmyswammy
Reply to  Peregrin Falcon
2 years ago

Ok boomer

About Sophie Kaufman

Sophie Kaufman

Sophie grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, which means yes, she does root for the Bruins, but try not to hold that against her. At 9, she joined her local club team because her best friend convinced her it would be fun. Shoulder surgery ended her competitive swimming days long ago, …

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