FUKUOKA, JAPAN (WINA) – Crozet’s Thomas Heilman finished just off the podium in the 200 meter butterfly at the World Championship swim meet in Japan. The 16-year old Western Albemarle student who trains with Cavalier Aquatics at the Piedmont Family YMCA finished 4th with a time of 1:53.82… just behind Japan’s Tomoru Honda who got the bronze at 1:53.66.

The youngest member of the U.S. world championship swim team, Heilman shatters 15-16 age group national record of 1:54.54 that he set last month in the nationals. Before Heilman broke it, that record was held by Michael Phelps.

Next up for Thomas, the 100-meter butterfly prelims tomorrow (Thursday).