The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has received a verbal commitment from Thomas Bilden, a senior at Carrboro High School in Carrboro, North Carolina. He will keep his talent in-state next fall, joining the Tar Heel roster for the 2015-2016 season. His reasons for choosing the Tar Heels were simply put. “Fast swimming, great team and coaches, top-notch education,” Bilden said.
Bilden swims for North Carolina Aquatic Club, specializing in butterfly (primarily), distance-freestyle, and I.M. events. He recently missed his Olympic Trial cut in the 200 Fly by half a second, while competing at the 2014 Summer Junior Nationals. He placed 90th in the 100 Fly and 26th in the 200 Fly at that meet. He also placed 55th in the 200 Fly at the 2014 Summer Nationals, which was a week later.
Bilden’s Best Times:
(SCY/LCM)
200 Free: 1:43.40/1:57.04
500 Free: 4:43.58/4:15.64
1650 Free: 16:33.20/16:51.02
200 I.M.: 1:56.52/2:18.24
400 I.M.: 4:02.98/4:47.52
100 Fly: 50.18/56.86
200 Fly: 1:49.18/2:02.48
200 Back: 1:54.42/2:13.90
He’s Had His Best Season Yet
Bilden’s short course season was overshadowed by his long course season this summer, as he nearly qualified for Olympic Trials in the 200 Fly. The majority of his best times are from his junior season, which indicates that he is still improving and will continue to do so before joining the Tar Heels.
Bilden will have an immediate impact on the Tar Heels, as he will most likely score in the 100 and 200 Fly at the ACC Championships. His 1650 Free can also be developed into a scoring event. The possibility of making the A Final at the ACC Championships, in the 200 Fly may not be a stretch for Bilden. He has one more year to develop his short course abilities before joining the Tar Heels, in which he could qualify for Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200 Fly.
