Julia Heimstead of the Waves Bloomington/Normal YMCA Swim Team (BNY) has verbally committed to the University of Arizona in the Pac-12. Heimstead is a high school junior, pledging to join the Wildcats for 2020.
So excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Arizona! I want to thank my family, friends, and Coach Yourd for supporting me throughout this journey. I can’t wait to be a Wildcat!! BEARDOWN!!
TOP TIMES
- 100y fly – 53.87
- 200y fly – 2:02.49
- 200y IM – 2:04.12
- 400y IM – 4:23.32
- 100m fly – 1:01.04
- 200m fly – 2:17.99
- 200m back – 2:18.81
Heimstead competed this summer at the 2018 U.S. Speedo Junior Nationals, where her meet was highlighted by a 17th place finish in the 100 fly with a new best time of 1:01.04.
As a sophomore last season, Heimstead was part of the Normal Community HS team that placed 4th at the 2017 IHSA State Championships in November. She played a huge role in that showing, placing 2nd in the 100 fly (55.05) and 9th in the 200 IM (2:04.12). Further, Heimstead split a 24.79 fly on Normal Community’s 3rd place 200 medley relay (where current Texas freshman Grace Ariola was the backstroke leg) and anchored their runner-up 400 free relay with a 50.01.
Senior Mackenzie Rumrill leads the Wildcats in sprint fly, and she was the team’s leader in the 100 fly last year at 51.96, with current sophomore Jamie Stone the 2nd-quickest last year at 52.81.
Heimstead is the first verbal commitment to Arizona’s class of 2024, while Axana Merckx and Ellie Jew are verbally committed for their incoming class.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].