Missouri State Head Coach Dave Collins must have connections in Arkansas as he is landing a lot of talent from the small LSC that packs a big punch. Thomas Heye from the Little Rock Dolphins (LRAD) has just given his verbal commitment to join his brother Christopher in becoming a Bear.
Thomas has been Arkansas LSC Champion in the 100 back, 200 back and 100 breast and is a multiple event Region VIII Sectional qualifier. He also placed in multiple events and as high as fifth overall at the 2014 KMSC Pro Am Classic, behind two professional athletes leaving him as the third place amateur in the 100 breaststroke.
Photo courtesy of Thomas Heye
Thomas is a Winter Junior Nationals qualifier, just missing the Summer Juniors cut during long course season. He has rapidly improved over the past year, cutting four seconds from his best 100 and ten in his 200 meter backstroke this summer, allowing him to add strength to the Bears’ lineup in multiple strokes. Thomas may prove to be a versatile athlete for the Bears in the future.
“I chose Missouri State because I liked how close the team was and how much of a family atmosphere it was. I have my older brother Christopher and my former teammate Minki Kang there who have both had great success and I hope I will also.”
Best Times:
100 back: 59.01(LCM) 51.73 (SCY)
200 back: 2:10.64 (LCM) 1:51.94 (SCY)
100 breast: 1:07.88 (LCM) 57.91 (SCY)
50 free: 25.54 (LCM) 21.79 (SCY)
100 free: 54.50 (LCM) 47.89 (SCY)
I spent a summer training at LRAD back in college, when Thomas wasn’t much more than half my height. Awesome to see the kids there – the Heyes, Bish at Arizona, Hathaway at S&T, Ravi Sun at Stevens, anybody else I missed – doing as well as they all are.