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Gavin Jones handed Villanova University its first public verbal men’s commitment for the class of 2026. Jones is a senior at North Oconee High School and he swims club with the Athens Bulldog Swim Club.
It is with great excitement that I announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic careers at Villanova University!! The amazing coaches, athletes and prestigious academics made this an easy choice. I can’t wait to call Nova Nation home!! Thank you to my parents, teammates and all of my coaches for investing in me and supporting me. Go Wildcats!! #Family
Jones will soon begin his final swim season at North Oconee High School. He has made it back to finals at the Georgia 4A/5A State Championships every since of high school. As a freshman, he finished 9th in the 500 free and 5th in the 200 free. The following year, he touched fourth in the 100 back and improved his free, bringing home a silver medal in the 200 free.
Last year, the North Oconee junior again moved up in the rankings. Jones picked up a bronze medal in the 500 free and he claimed the State title in the 200 free in a time of 1:41.91. He touched the wall 1.7 seconds ahead of the next swimmer for a convincing victory.
Jones is a 2021 Winter Junior Nationals qualifier in the men’s 200 back. He picked up the time standard in July at the Speedo Sectionals meet in Greensboro.
Below is a table of Jones’ top long course meter and short course yard times.
| LCM | SCY | |
| 100 free | 53.27 | 47.59 |
| 200 free | 1:56.38 | 1:40.94 |
| 100 back | 59.96 | 51.84 |
| 200 back | 2:08.48 | 1:52.81 |
| 200 IM | 2:11.84 | 1:55.67 |
Jones will join the Wildcats beginning in the fall of 2022. During the 2020-2021 season, his times would have made him the team’s second-fastest 200 freestyler and its third-fastest 200 backstroker. Additionally, he would have earned a spot in the A-final of the 200 free at the 2021 Big East Championships. Villanova was runner-up at the conference meet. Richard Nolan contributed three individual wins to the team’s overall score. Jack McIntyre, Mishko Prikasky, and Nolan Danus also put up big swims for the Wildcats.
By the time Jones arrives on campus, Prikasky will already have graduated. He will get the chance to train alongside Nolan, McIntyre, and Danus.
Since announcing his commitment, Henry Gingrich has also joined Villanova’s class of 2022.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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