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The University of Massachusetts got a commitment from Johnny Williams, who recently moved from Las Vegas to just a stone’s throw away from campus. Williams, who competes for the Northampton YMCA is primarily a butterfly swimmer and should be able to step into the Minutemen lineup right away:
- 50 freestyle- 21.99
- 100 freestyle- 48.03
- 100 butterfly- 50.32
That 100 butterfly time would have scored at the 2015 Atlantic-10 Championship. However, UMass actually needs to address a deficit in butterfly. Despite winning the meet last year, they had no scorers in that event. Williams is also likely to contribute on both medley relays in Amherst.
“I was very happy when I received the phone call from Russ after my recruit weekend at UMass Amherst. Everything felt right to me about the UMass swim team”
Williams has an inspirational story- he fended off potential disability that left him wheelchair bound as a youngster to have a successful swimming career. Last year he finished third at the Massachusetts State Division Two Championship in the 100 butterfly and went on to win the C-Final in the 50 butterfly at this past summer’s YMCA Long Course National Championship.
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Congratulations Johnny!!! We are so proud of your accomplishments!! Keep up the awesome work!!! 🙂
So proud of your hard work and accomplishments Johnny! UMass sure is lucky to have you! I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully there. Get it! I support you all the way. Xo 🙂
Can’t wait to me the prodigy of the famous Razor Ray in person! I can see ur just like your father tough,tenacious and competiative! Great qualities to have as an athlete. Your dad is extremely proud of you and brags about you all the time! You will have to give me a swimming lesson one day BOY!!! Congrats now get out there and eat ur opponents up and spit them out like your dad did and does still!!!
A true warrior Johnny!! You are inspirational to others and seemingly unstoppable…..Train hard, stay hard!
-Bobby
Wow Johnny! I have watched your career transcend the most difficult obstacles that can ever be. Does this mean you can take on and overcome any challenge you might ever face in the pool and in life? Of course! I’m so proud of you and your monumental achievement. CONGRATULATIONS!!
Congratulations Johnnie! In addition to being an accomplished athlete his entire family lives their life around values than enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities. Some of their values include generosity, humility, inclusiveness, integrity, kindness, respect and service. It should be a proud moment for Johnnies family and friends, and an opportunity to share his inspiring story. The inspiration provided by Johnnie’s accomplishments will be multiplied many times over at UMass. It is a fact that many individuals will be motivated to do more after hearing about his accomplishments and feel encouraged and inspired to do more.
Way to go Johnny, glad your talents are staying in MA. Congrats!!!!!
It was a real pleasure for us to watch you swim last year for Northampton High School. You are an inspiration. We will see you get that 49 your senior year at JFK!