University of Massachusets Athletics
Senior Jad Vonderheid: Quite a splash at UMass
March 15, 2005 | Men's Swimming & Diving
March 15, 2005
Annapolis resident Jad Vonderheid had planned to complete his swimming career by winning individual events to help Massachusetts capture another Atlantic 10 championship.
Such a scenario made sense since Vonderheid was a key member of the 2003 conference championship squad as a sophomore.
Unfortunately, Vonderheid's career was derailed by a rare condition that threatened to make him totally inactive.
In the fall of 2003, the Broadneck High graduate began suffering arm discoloration and discomfort that was eventually identified as Deep Vein Thrombosis or blood clots.
After many rounds of doctors appointments, Vonderheid was diagnosed with Thoracic Outlook Syndrome, a blood disorder that sometimes affects swimmers, water polo players and weightlifters.
Things were so bad that Vonderheid's arm turned blue whenever he brushed his teeth.
Doctors said Vonderheid would never swim again and also advised he give up all physical activity such as playing golf or jogging.
Betsy Vonderheid said her son fell into a depression over the situation and was so disheartened by the premature end of his swimming career he could not bear to attend meets.
After much travels and travails seeking help from specialists, Vonderheid found a Johns Hopkins surgeon who performed a procedure that alleviated Thoracic Outlook Syndrome. It involved removing the top rib then trimming the scalene muscle in order to ease pressure on the veins.
However, when Dr. Julie Fleischlag operated there were complications because Vonderheid's scalene muscle was too big to simply trim and had to be removed in chunks. In addition, his veins were too damaged and constricted to receive an angioplasty.
However, in the course of the surgery, Dr. Fleischlag discovered a miraculous occurrence - Vonderheid's body was forming a "collateral" vein system. Her prognosis was that Vonderheid would be able to return to normal activity once the new veins completely formed and opened.
Vonderheid rehabilitated and eventually returned to swimming this winter. By the time of Massachusetts' final home meet in late January, the former Chase Creek and Naval Academy Aquatic Club competitor was training one hour per day - nowhere near the five hours of teammates but impressive considering where he'd come from.
UMass head coach Russ Yarworth was extremely understanding of Vonderheid's plight and had him serve as an assistant coach in order to remain part of the team in 2003-2004.
Although Vonderheid had not competed for two seasons, Yarworth put the youngster in the starting lineup for his Senior Day meet.
"Russ wanted Jad's last swim to be his best swim," Betsy Vonderheid said.
Yarworth told Vonderheid to shave and wear a body suit for the dual meet against Boston College, a practice normally reserved for end-of-season championship events.
Vonderheid was then awarded the coveted middle lane, which normally goes to the highest-seeded entrant.
Vonderheid responded with a tremendous performance, placing third in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100 butterfly with career-best times of 22.03 and 53.66.
Several ecstatic teammates jumped in the pool to hug Vonderheid and he emerged to a standing ovation from everyone in the natatorium.
Vonderheid actually qualified for the Atlantic 10 championship meet in both events, but didn't feel he should take the place of a teammate who had practiced and competed all season. However, he watched with pride as the Minutemen captured their fifth consecutive A-10 title earlier this month.