Thomas Heilman Moves Up U.S. Rankings With 1:56.41 200 Butterfly

2024 NCAP ELITE QUALIFIER

Thomas Heilman swam another season-best time this weekend as he swam to a 1:56.41 in the 200 butterfly. He now moves up to sit as the #5 US swimmer in the event this season.

Heilman’s previous season best stood at a 1:57.23 from back in January at the Pro Series stop in Knoxville. That had placed him as the #8 US swimmer in the event this season.

Top 5 US Men 200 LCM Fly- 2023-2024

  1. Trenton Julian, 1:55.59
  2. Luca Urlando, 1:55.63
  3. Chase Kalisz, 1:55.97
  4. Zach Harting, 1:56.12
  5. Thomas Heilman, 1:56.41

This was not his only season best of the meet as he swam a 52.29 in the 100 butterfly last night. He looks to make the US Olympic team in the events after qualifying for the 2023 World Championship roster in both events last summer.

Highlighting the women’s side of the night was Gretchen Walsh who swam to a 24.46 in the 50 free. Walsh is coming off of a personal best time in the event as she swam a 24.29 in the event last month at the Pro Series stop in San Antonio. That time currently places her as the #3 US swimmer in the event this season, only behind Kate Douglass (23.91) and Abbey Weitzeil (24.27).

Finishing behind Walsh was Maxine Parker who touched in a 25.07 which ties her season best from San Antonio. 3rd place finisher Aimee Canny was 0.01 off her best time that stands from 2019 as Canny swam a 25.30.

Claire Curzan led the way in the women’s 100 backstroke as she touched in a 59.42 and was the only swimmer under the 1:01 mark. Curzan currently sits as the #2 American in the event this season as she swam a 58.29 at the 2024 World Championships in February. Finishing behind Curzan was Caroline Bentz who touched in a 1:01.44.

Virginia freshman Tess Howley won the 200 butterfly in a 2:10.27. Howley currently sits as the #9 US swimmer in the event this season as her season best is a 2:09.57 from January’s Pro Series stop in Knoxville. Howley finished 8th in the 200 fly at 2023 US Summer Nationals in a 2:08.86. Her personal best time is a 2:06.85 from 2023 Summer Junior Nationals.

Jack Aikins led the way in the men’s 100 backstroke as he touched in a 54.09, 0.15 off his prelims time of a 53.94. Aikins has a season best of a 53.49 that he swam leading off the prelims mixed medley relay at 2024 Worlds. That time makes him the #4 swimmer in the US this season. Texas commit Kyle Peck swam to a best time of a 55.48 for 2nd, getting under the Trials cut of a 55.69.

2023 Pan Ams silver medalist in the 100 breast Noah Nichols earned a win in the 200 breaststroke in a 2:15.00. His season best is a 2:14.23 from Pan Ams which he swam to finish 5th. Behind Nichols was Eli Martin who swam a 2:16.35, a best time by over a second as his previous best time was a 2:17.46 from last summer’s NCSA Championships. Martin just missed the Trials cut of a 2:15.99.

August Lamb led the way in the 50 freestyle with a 22.31. Lamb’s previous season best was a 22.45 from the San Antonio Pro Series.

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Swimmerfan
5 months ago

Prelims today??

Andrew
5 months ago

I think Urlando throws down and gets the 2nd spot after Heilman. Carson all in on IMs which is better for him because no shot any of the Americans are beating Milak/Marchand/Honda which seems like a pretty set podium barring anything significant.

‘Murica
Reply to  Andrew
5 months ago

Honda’s PB is only 0.5 ahead of Heilman, why does he have no shot?

Derp
5 months ago

Think any American will medal in Paris in this event ? I think Milak, Marchand, and Honda

Derp
Reply to  Derp
5 months ago

If Marchand swims it

Summer in Paris
Reply to  Derp
5 months ago

I hope he swims both 200 fly and breast and get beaten, karma for Bob’s messing up the schedule.

Need More Yards
Reply to  Derp
5 months ago

Milak may defy logic and win the gold medal despite doing the fewest yards in this year’s lead up out of anyone in the field. Stay tuned…

Facts
Reply to  Need More Yards
5 months ago

Talent beats hard work when talent fails to work hard

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  Derp
5 months ago

The question should be will an American final in the M 200 FL?

As for a certain American male butterflier, Steinway is your destiny.

jeff
Reply to  Derp
5 months ago

it’s certainly not impossible – Heilman was 1:56.53 at Jr Pan Pacs in August 2022 and 1:53.82 at Worlds in July 2023 and he’s only 17, so dropping into the 1:52s is definitely possible.

He hasn’t really done anything crazy this year yet though, so I guess we’ll have to wait a couple weeks for trials to really tell.

edit: he did have a pretty awesome winter jrs so that’s a good sign potentially

Last edited 5 months ago by jeff
Max Hardie
Reply to  Derp
5 months ago

And Kharun, not impressive Heilman progression in the last year, hope I’m wrong

etsan
Reply to  Max Hardie
5 months ago

And Chmielewski. Don’t forget he won silver over Honda in Fukuoka.

Noah
5 months ago

50 was done on a block with no fin/wedge as well

dirtswimmer
5 months ago

Race for the 200m fly spots is going to be tight between Foster, Urlando, and Heilman. Not sure anyone else can break into that group.

RealCrocker5040
Reply to  dirtswimmer
5 months ago

It’s going to be a very good and heartbreaking race for sure

Susan
Reply to  dirtswimmer
5 months ago

Julian could get a last 50.

I miss the ISL (Go dawgs)
Reply to  Susan
5 months ago

Please don’t speak this into existence.

Viking Steve
Reply to  dirtswimmer
5 months ago

I think Heilman is going to win definitively. Big taper swim coming

swimgeek
Reply to  dirtswimmer
5 months ago

Dude Heilman went 1:53 after his sophomore year of HS. He then had a monster winter. He’s primed to go under 1:52.5 this summer. I think Heilman crushes this race and Foster/Urlando battle for 2nd.

Comet16
Reply to  swimgeek
5 months ago

You make it seem like he will sneak by Marchand and Milak in the Olympics that would be the biggest upset

Derp
Reply to  dirtswimmer
5 months ago

Heilman is so young and will get stronger and faster honestly daily at that age . He will be a legend no matter what

RealCrocker5040
5 months ago

Official RealCrocker5040 Thomas Heilman OT Predictions:

100 Free: 48.75 misses the semifinals
100 Fly: 50.92 for third
200 Fly: 1:53.59 for second
50 Free: 19.90

Last edited 5 months ago by RealCrocker5040
Wheeler Walker Jr.
Reply to  RealCrocker5040
5 months ago

He is going to break the world record and get 5th? I hope coaches and swimmers are making bank for this type of performance this summer.

RealCrocker5040
Reply to  Wheeler Walker Jr.
5 months ago

We do a little trolling

Derp
Reply to  Wheeler Walker Jr.
5 months ago

lol I just noticed the 19.90

Aragon Son of Arathorne
Reply to  RealCrocker5040
5 months ago

don’t see him making the team, unfortunately

owen
Reply to  Aragon Son of Arathorne
5 months ago

he was 4th at 2023 worlds and is swimming faster in season now, i don’t see him missing the team

Buttafly
Reply to  Aragon Son of Arathorne
5 months ago

Which two Americans are beating him in the 2 fly?

CELL
Reply to  Buttafly
5 months ago

Urlando and potentially foster

swimgeek
Reply to  CELL
5 months ago

Um, Heilman is already better than both of them and on a much steeper improvement curve

mds
Reply to  swimgeek
5 months ago

Pbs:
C Foster 1:53.67
T Heilman 1:53.82
Urlando 1:53.84

Aragon Son of Arathorne
Reply to  swimgeek
5 months ago

maybe, but they are tough competition. Don’t get me wrong, I hope Heilman gets on the team.

‘Murica
Reply to  CELL
5 months ago

Lmfao @ Urlando

I know he’s been hurt but Heilman already has a faster PB and he’s 5 years younger

etsan
Reply to  ‘Murica
5 months ago

I find it funny Heilman is now getting the hype that Urlando got in 2019, and now Urlando is written off.

Buttafly
Reply to  CELL
5 months ago

Why is Urlando beating him? Because he went 1:55 one time this year? Also, had Foster swam it this year? Not trying to put you down I’m just confused about your logic I guess, especially with Heilman’s improvement trends each year and potential

Aragon Son of Arathorne
Reply to  Buttafly
5 months ago

Urlando has been 1:53 and is swimming fast. Foster is crushing it.

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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