Scary - this is a meet where the qualifying time is like, what - 1:48.00?? I can't even imagine how much he is blowing out the other high school competition by. There are 200 free relay teams in high school that wouldn't touch that time -scary!
I'm always impressed by any high schooler who can swim a sub 1:40 200 free. A 1:33, well that's just nuts!
Earlier this year he split a 42.8 in the 400 free relay. He's also went :47 in the 100 fly the same day he swam the 1:33 for the 200. Conceivably he could have three national records before its all done.
The finals are today and then there is the CIF masters meet next week. I image he'll swim lead off at the masters meet to try to break :43.05.
I met his father at CAS (a local swimming supplier) when he was picking up the TYR suit on Tuesday. Very nice guy.
I was co-coaching the masters practice today at Mission Viejo and who walks in to take a lane near the end of the hour?
1:33 in the CIF 200 Freestyle... Tom Shields!
I was a geek (but I've met him before at our previous club) and congratulated and asked him a few questions.
Mentioned that the masters were watching and discussing his 1:33 nationwide. And that they say a 1:33 is "just nuts!"
He told us he was thrilled - and that he even had a "suit malfunction" as in a split in the side of his quad -
Bet he can go faster!
Tom is a great team leader at his high school - nice video posted on my Facebook of him leading the team in the school cheer.
I like that kind of thing.
Still can't believe I didn't pull out my camera - now that would really be like me!
This young man is smoking fast.
Even greater is that there are some younger local California ones that have the ability to surpass.
It seems that burn-out isn't as big of an issue now.
Go youth!
And good job Bill Rose. A great coach.
