2022 JUNIOR PAN PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
- August 24-27, 2022
- Mark Takai Veterans Memorial Aquatics Center
- Honolulu, Hawaii (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time)
- Prelims 9:00 AM / Finals 5:00 PM (GMT-10)
- LCM (50m)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- Live Results
- Live Streaming
BOYS 200 METER BUTTERFLY – FINAL
- Jr World: 1:53.79 – Kristof Milak (2017)
Jr Pan Pac: 1:55.92 – Andrew Seliskar (2014)
Podium:
- Aaron Shackell, USA – 1:55.81
- Thomas Heilman, USA – 1:56.52
- Ei Kamikawabata, JPN – 1:58.32
As we’ve seen countless times over the last year, American 15-year-old phenom Thomas Heilman put up a stunning performance tonight. Swimming the final of the boys 200 fly at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacs in Honolulu, Heilman roared to a 2nd place finish behind U.S. teammate Aaron Shackell, throwing down a new lifetime best of 1:56.52 in the process.
It was Heilman’s 2nd personal best of the day in the event. He swam a 1:57.58 in prelims, clipping the 1:57.84 which he had just set at the U.S. Junior Nationals just a few weeks ago.
Though he’s just 15 years old, Heilman has now risen to #4 all-time among U.S. performers in the 15-16 age group. He’s also gradually closing in on the National Age Group Record, which stands at 1:54.58 and is held by none other than Michael Phelps.
All-Time 15-16 U.S. Performers – Boys LCM 200 Fly:
| Rank | Time | Swimmer | Meet |
| 1 | 1:54.58 | Michael Phelps | 2001 World Champs |
| 2 | 1:55.21 | Luca Urlando | 2018 Summer Nationals |
| 3 | 1:56.42 | Andrew Seliskar | 2013 World Jr Champs |
| 4 | 1:56.52 | Thomas Heilman | 2022 Jr Pan Pacs |
| 5 | 1:57.39 | Matt Fenlon | 2019 Summer Nationals |
Additionally, Heilman remains the #2 15-year-old American all-time in the event. The fastest American 15-year-old in history is Michael Phelps, who clocked an eye-popping 1:54.92 at that young age. It’s a tall order for Heilman to get all the way down to that mark, but he has until January 2023 to get there.
All-Time 15-Year-Old U.S. Performers – Boys LCM 200 Fly:
| Rank | Time | Swimmer | Meet |
| 1 | 1:54.92 | Michael Phelps | 2001 Spring Nationals |
| 2 | 1:56.52 | Thomas Heilman | 2022 Jr Pan Pacs |
| 3 | 1:58.47 | Carson Foster | 2017 Summer Nationals |
| 4 | 1:58.93 | Luca Urlando | 2017 Summer Nationals |
| 5 | 1:58.97 | Dare Rose | 2018 Summer Nationals |
Here is a split comparison between Heilman’s swim in finals tonight, his prelims swim this morning, and his previous best from Junior Nationals a few weeks ago:
| Splits | Thomas Heilman – 2022 Jr Pan Pacs (Finals) | Thomas Heilman – 2022 Jr Pan Pacs (Prelims) | Thomas Heilman – 2022 U.S. Junior Nationals (Finals) |
| 50m | 26.77 | 26.17 | 26.62 |
| 100m | 56.37 (29.60) | 55.53 (29.36) | 56.56 (29.94) |
| 150m | 1:26.41 (30.04) | 1:26.03 (30.50) | 1:27.53 (30.97) |
| 200m | 1:56.52 (30.11) | 1:57.58 (31.55) | 1:57.84 (30.31) |
| FINAL TIME | 1:56.52 | 1:57.58 | 1:57.84 |
Heilman adjusted from his prelims performance this morning, taking his race tonight out more conservatively. Due to his slower 1st 50, Heilman was able to come home significantly faster, holding his stroke together and splitting 1:00.15 on the 2nd 100, compared to a 1:02.05 this morning.
Heilman is primed to breakout into the junior international scene this week. In addition to his silver in the 200 fly tonight, the 15-year-old is the top seed in the boys 100 fly, the #2 seed in the 100 free, and the #3 seed in the 50 free.
The difference in body mass between Phelps at 15 and Heilman at 15 is practically night and day. Was weightlifting not something teens did back when Phelps was young? Or is it purely genetics and timing of puberty? I have daughters so I’m clueless.
Phelps had never done any weightlifting until he was 19
At least he is not a sprint phenomena with a “less is more attitude.” Had a solid second half finish!
Heilman has had an almost meteoric rise in public attention and commentary. I kinda hope that the beginning of school gives him – perhaps — some well-deserved quiet time and some spotlight-free diversions. I teach this age group and know how vital that can be.
Otherwise, what a teen phenom!!!
I think for this level, even though they are very fast, the only public attention is really swimswam. Not really going to get on any prime time news outlets.
a valid point, indeed – thanks
30.1 on last 50
Faster than someone else I think…
What really impresses me with Heilman is not only how fast he goes for his age but the way he can swim this event using several tactics, yesterday he went out 55.5 in prelims and clocked 1:57.5, in final he went out a second slower but finished one second faster it’s remarkable for a kid of that age
That is so quick for a 15 year old.
I just looked up Milak’s time at 15 for reference and found out it was 2:02.91. That shocks me.
But that progression after 15 tho.
2:13.56 14.0 2014-04-17
2:02.91 15.7 2015-12-13
1:56.77 16.3 2016-07-08
1:53.79 17.3 2017-06-30
1:52.71 18.0 2018-03-28
1:50.73 19.4 2019-07-24
1:54.98 20.7 2020-12-09
1:51.10 21.1 2021-05-19
1:50.34 22.3 2022-06-21
Why are you shocked? MP swam 1:54 at 15 and never managed to dip under 1:51.
You never know how an athlete will develop.
MP is still the goat
There is no argument against him being the Greatest of all time. If there is it is silly.
You just proved his exact point actually. The last WR-holder was going 1:54 at 15. Heilman is going 1:56 at 15. For Milak to be such a phenom who has accomplished so much, so young — it’s surprising he was going “only” 2:02 at age 15. (BTW, 2:02 for a 15 yr old is still super fast!)
I’m shocked because I always thought Milak is an early bloomer. He was first known for swimming faster than Phelps in 200 fly at 17, so before looking it up, I didn’t expect him to be so well behind at 15. His time drop between 15 and 17 was insane.
Timing of major growth spurt would be a huge factor in when those drops occur
Milak was a backstroker until the age of 14. And his training was more focused on 100 than 200 before 16. He also received a heart surgery at 16 to solve some congenital problems. These can explain something.
Everyone has a different road they travel. Speculating how one is going to develop based on another person’s achievements will end in different results.
That’s sick