Thomas Heilman Goes 5-for-5 in National Records with a 53.27 in 100 Fly Final

2021 US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

14-year old Thomas Heilman of Cavalier Aquatics shaved another few-hundredths off his National Age Group Record in the 100 fly final on Friday at the U.S. Open.

The 14-year old touched 2nd in the final in 53.27. That undercut his own record of 53.43 swum in prelims. Heilman now has the four best times ever swum by an American 13-14 in the event, ahead of Olympian Michael Andrew’s 54.59 from 2014.

Heilman was slightly-better in his finals swim than he was in his prelims swim on both the opening and closing lengths of his 100 fly.

Splits Comparison:

Thomas Heilman Thomas Heilman Thomas Heilman Thomas Heilman Michael Andrew Andrei Minakov
New Record AM Record July Record 2020 Record Prior Record USA Swimming 13-14 best*
50m 24.90 24.95 25.44 25.27 26.15 25.26
100m 28.37 28.48 28.99 29.18 28.44 28.78
Total Time 53.27 53.43 54.43 54.45 54.59 54.93

Heilman’s swim is so fast, that it would rank him 6th all-time in the 15-16 age group, which he won’t even be eligible for until next year.

He has now set 13-14 National Age Group Records in all 5 races that he’s swum this weekend in Greensboro so far. He swam 22.99 in prelims of the 50 free, followed by 22.95 in finals. In prelims of the 200 free on Friday morning, he broke the 13-14 record in the 200 free by almost two seconds, swimming 1:51.27.

That prelims 200 free came about 30 minutes after his prelims 100 fly, and he’s scheduled for the double again on Friday evening. He is the 3rd seed in finals of that race.

Heilman now holds 12 National Age Group Records in the 10 & under, 11-12, and 13-14 age groups. He’s also scheduled to swim the 100 free later this meet, where he holds the current record in 51.20, and the 200 fly, where Michael Phelps holds the current record in 1:59.02. Heilman’s best time in the 200 fly is 2:02.25.

University of Florida swimmer Eric Friese won the race in 52.56, missing his best time by a tenth.

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Parker
2 years ago

Braden, I apologize for asking to confirm, as its been well over a full decade when I gave up flat out keeping track at home on my own since a 12 yr old of both top 10 NAG times plus the top Int’l times, WR, ER’s Commonwealth ,etc ( I last “assisted” as a favor to someone I won’t name, then and still now I believe with Swimming World. Approached me via private email if I would be willing to assist their long time statistician – the late Bill Bell, who, as I was told, was having eyesight issues that were causing problems for him- a feisty one, when having to be corrected, lets keep it at that). So I’ve… Read more »

LBSWIM
Reply to  Parker
2 years ago

Huh?

Swimmerfromjapananduk
Reply to  Parker
2 years ago

What are you on

2Fat4Speed
Reply to  Swimmerfromjapananduk
2 years ago

I could not tell you, but I would like some of whatever it is. Appears to be strong stuff.

Swimmer
Reply to  Parker
2 years ago

I just feel like you could have used more words.

LBSWIM
Reply to  Swimmer
2 years ago

Bwahahahah

Parker
Reply to  Swimmer
2 years ago

Interesting comment from someone who replies with technically, a grammatically incorrect sentence. Wrong place for the word “just”. Perhaps it the inner valley girl in you. I don’t understand how anyone can not spot the legitimate confusion caused above regarding the statement about the swim that was so fast, that it would be ranked as 6th fastest all time in the 15-16 boys age group? Please read the sentence. Where does it specifically state- or for that matter, even imply, of the two prelim races that Heilman swam and broke the NAG’s, is the race Braden mentions would rank as 6th fastest among 15-16 boys? I beg your pardon, but what exactly is the purpose of someone mentioning that incredible… Read more »

Swimmer
Reply to  Parker
2 years ago

Boring

Last edited 2 years ago by Swimmer
LBSWIM
Reply to  Parker
2 years ago

Bro – common sense can be applied since the main point of the article is about the 100 fly (the title is the first giveaway). You’re thinking too hard n

PVK
Reply to  Parker
2 years ago

This paragraph should be used as a logical reasoning stimulus on the LSAT.

phelps swims 200 breast rio
Reply to  Parker
2 years ago

This is one of my favorite posts ever.

PFA
2 years ago

I’ll say if he goes under 50 tomorrow I’ll put him as my dark horse to potentially make the worlds team with a relay spot.

Seed
2 years ago

I believe michael andrew was

Parker
Reply to  Seed
2 years ago

No he did NOT ever swim for Liberty; in fact, Michael Andrew’s wikipedia page is one great example of why not to ever rely on them as completely valid even when it appears certain parts are noted with a citation. The true part is that shortly after her signed his pro sponsor contract, at I think age 13, it was and still is my understanding that in signing that contract, the NCAA rules had been for decades that made him immediately ineligible to ever take part in an official University NCAA sanctioned sports team, in addition to obviously no athletic scholarship would be allowed. But that no professionals ban did not and does not still prevent any of them from… Read more »

Theloniuspunk
2 years ago

Wow, MA knew how to save energy for the back half when he was 14…

matt
2 years ago

this boy is making 2024 for sure

oxyswim
Reply to  matt
2 years ago

Anyone swimming times like this at 14 certainly has the talent to do so, but the time until Paris is a fifth of how long he’s been alive. Just sit back and watch, no reason to place pressures like that on a kid.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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