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Thomas Heilman on Caeleb Dressel: “I really look up to him”

2024 U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

17-year-old Thomas Heilman had already become the youngest male to make the Olympic swimming team since 2000 earlier in the week after winning the 200 fly. But on Saturday night, he added to his Olympic schedule by finishing 2nd in the 100 fly behind his biggest role model in the pool, world record-holder Caeleb Dressel.

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Swimdad
4 months ago

First watched him as 14yr old on a practice and pancakes episode. Even back then you could see he was a hard worker. Happy for the kid, he’ll make a name for himself in Paris.

Derp
4 months ago

Totally off topic but how tall is this kid ?? Looks huge

Swimdad
Reply to  Derp
4 months ago

There’s a picture of him on Instagram standing next to Dressel. They are the same height around 6’3.

Hank
4 months ago

I am not familiar with Ken Ono. Is he a UVA coach?

HeGetsItDoneAgain
Reply to  Hank
4 months ago

He’s the head of the department of mathematics at uva who is into swimming

#MFan
Reply to  Hank
4 months ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNdka1lY6MM

his brother, Santa Ono, is President of the University of Michigan

VA Steve
Reply to  Hank
4 months ago

Yes. See previous SS articles. He even wrote a journal article with Douglass on using data science to improve strokes and swims.

sqimgod
4 months ago

Unlike Dressel Heilman isn’t afraid of 200s

Eye guy
Reply to  sqimgod
4 months ago

You could also say “Unlike Heilman, Dressel is one of the best pure sprinters on the planet.”

They’re both phenomenal swimmers with different strengths. Let’s appreciate them both and not pit them against each other.

Mr Piano
Reply to  Eye guy
4 months ago

It’s so annoying how people think 200+ distances are somehow less than 50-100 swimmers. And I say that as someone who prefers training and competing for the 200.

Sprinters are just as impressive and talented.

SwimCoach
Reply to  Mr Piano
4 months ago

It’s a lingering byproduct of the time when every practice was 7-10k yards.

There are different skill sets and athletic conditioning for different race distances. No one ever slams a track star for competing in the 400 Open but not the 800 at the Olympic level.

Mr Piano
Reply to  Mr Piano
4 months ago

*somehow more impressive

HeGetsItDoneAgain
Reply to  sqimgod
4 months ago

Imagine wanting a swim more and practice more for less fame and money.

Yabo
Reply to  HeGetsItDoneAgain
4 months ago

Katie Ledecky and Phelps might have a thing or two to say about this statement. I get that sprinters are rock stars, but arguably the two most famous swimmers on the planet are not sprinters

Max Hardie
Reply to  Yabo
4 months ago

Dressel was also a sprinter, 3×100 fly golds and several 100 free super fast!

RealSlimThomas
Reply to  sqimgod
4 months ago

Dressel has been 1:56 2fly and 1:59 2IM. He’s also the former 17-18 2free record holder.

EXCALIBUR
Reply to  RealSlimThomas
4 months ago

+ an excellent breaststroker in SC / Yards

applesandoranges
4 months ago

Great interview and we can look forward to this young man repping the U.S. in years to come.

On another issue, any chance we can get Snoop and Phelps and EB in the broadcast booth together?

Georgia Rambler
4 months ago

Don’t think he ould have a better mentor for Paris. Of colurse heilman admires Phelps, but Dressel is right there and a very warm and kind guy, and a pretty good swimmer.

PFA
Reply to  Georgia Rambler
4 months ago

Not that it matters but I believe since the Jr Pan Pacs in 2022 Harting became more of a mentor to Thomas for the past few years at least from what I’ve seen they been fairly close since

Last edited 4 months ago by PFA
The Magic Man
4 months ago

Heilman to Florida confirmed

Texan
Reply to  The Magic Man
4 months ago

Hellman to SMU confirmed.

Fixed it for you. If you’re going to joke, at least get it right.

Owlmando
4 months ago

Me too kid, me too.

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