You are working on Staging1

How Did This Happen Twice in 30 Minutes?

2023 SPEEDO WINTER JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Winter Jr Championships East started with a bang, as 16-year-old Thomas Heilman shattered Maximus Williamson’s 15-16 National Age Group Record in the 200 freestyle at 1:32.46, becoming the fastest high schooler ever.

Swimming 30 minutes later at the Winter Jr Championships West, Maximus Williamson, now 17, clocked a 1:32.00, breaking the 17-18 National Age Group Record and eclipsing Heilman as the fastest high schooler ever.

What’s even crazier? The two high school juniors both just committed to the University of Virginia and are set to be teammates in just under two years.

In This Story

19
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

19 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Swimmingrules
11 months ago

Does anyone have the full video of Heilman’s swim? The live stream was bugging and I couldn’t watch it.

Towelie
Reply to  Swimmingrules
11 months ago

You can watch the full stream of both on usa swimming’s YouTube channel

chazoozle
11 months ago

probably because they have meets going on at the same time?

PFA
11 months ago

“It’s because they are the Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte of today” -Certain commenters

But seriously these 2 have separated themselves from the rest of their class that it kinda is a rivalry of sorts I will not be shocked if these 2 face off in a few events not only at college but also in Indy next year.

Justin Pollard
Reply to  PFA
11 months ago

I don’t think they’ll face off too much given Heilman’s focus on 100/200 fly which Williamson doesn’t swim at championship meets. Maybe in the 200 IM?

Either way, I think both will represent the USA in the next Olympics *before* they start their first class at UVA.

PFA
Reply to  Justin Pollard
11 months ago

Yeah agree and I was referring to the 2 free and 2 IM although Max is a lot faster in IM

Tanner
Reply to  PFA
11 months ago

I would not say a lot.

Stoyle
Reply to  Tanner
11 months ago

5s gap is a lot in LCM PBs. I bet Thomas has a bit more in him in that event, but clear advantage to Max

Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
11 months ago

Too early to declare UVA back to back to back to back 800 fr champs?

ncaa fan
Reply to  Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
11 months ago

Yes. While these times are fast, especially relative to their class, they aren’t times that will carry a college level relay at NCAAs. Also, these guys would only be half of the relay.

Justin Pollard
Reply to  Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
11 months ago

I think so since you need 4 swimmers for that one. Last year Cal had the NCAA runner up on leadoff+ a guy that went 1:29.mid and got third. Even if Heilman and Williamson go 1:29 each in their first year, if they have a 1:33 and 1:34 supporting cast, that’s probably only good enough for 4th or 5th.

Andrew
Reply to  Justin Pollard
11 months ago

Does UVA really have another sub 1:34 leg🤣

Swimfan
Reply to  Andrew
11 months ago

Yes, sir, look at other 2025 recruits or Class of 2024 recruits!

Bobo
Reply to  Swimfan
11 months ago

Class of 22 has Sergile -1:34.05
Class of 23 the best is Larrick – 1:34.27
Class of 24 the best is King – 1:36.63
Class of 25 after Heilman and Williamson is King – 1:36.63

I’m not considering LCM conversions.

swimmer
Reply to  Bobo
11 months ago

King split 1:34.00 on the relay last night.

Goldie
Reply to  Andrew
11 months ago

David King (UVA class of 2024) did go 1:34 going 2nd on the CAV 8 Free relay last night.

Swammer
Reply to  Justin Pollard
11 months ago

They’ll be 1:28s soon enough

Nonrevhoofan
Reply to  Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
11 months ago

Jack Aikins will still be at UVA for his 4th year of eligibility. 1:33.51

Phelps Swims 200 breast rio
Reply to  Sweet Sweet Peter Rosen
11 months ago

Not at all. I’m working on predicting all their splits by 50…

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

Read More »