NOTE: Watch the end of the video. University of Texas Head Basketball Coach, Shaka Smart, waxes poetically about Will Licon in his commencement speech at the 2016 University of Texas History Department Graduation.
Texas swim star, Will Licon, is a man you have to keep your eye on at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha. He’s got momentum coming off the 2016 Men’s DI NCAA Championships where he won 200 IM, 200 breaststroke and picked up silver in the 400 IM. Coach Eddie Reese even said he didn’t taper him enough for NCAAs this year. “I have high expectations for Will,” Eddie added with a smile.
Also, take into account Licon had mononucleosis last summmer, missing five weeks of training. In terms of a meters performance, we have not seen what he can really do.
Licon Predictions:
Any experience at U.S. Trials bodes well for Licon’s future. I think he has potential to be a big star through the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
200 breast? I think he makes the U.S. Olympic Team this summer.
200 IM? Old guard elites are too tough. Licon doesn’t crack the top two, but I think he’s a 1:55 in Omaha, pushing the biggest stars in the sport, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, to faster swims.
400IM? I don’t know. His yard times are consistent, but 400 meter IM is a completely different animal. If Lochte doesn’t swim it, Licon’s got an outside shot at making the U.S. Olympic Team in this event.
What do you think?
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This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
Shaka Smart video is courtesy of the University of Texas Athletics.
Hey, Will! Your grandmother Smith and I are first cousins and I met you in your house in El Paso when you weren’t more than 3 or 4! Just know we’re all pulling for you out here in NJ! My brother, Bud, was a swimmer in high school so maybe it’s in your DNA. You’re amazing and I think you’re going to RIO! I’ll be watching – I’m watching right now but you’re not swimming right now but I’ll be here in front of the TV whenever you are!
His 400 I.M. Will be a new world record considering the time will be 0.00. I also know exactly what his 2 Breast will be.
Apart from Townsley #1 fan, you guys don’t know lic(on) of 200 breast. Will swims 2:06.9 and makes Rio.
I think he’s saving that for Rio. Unless he goes 2:06.3 in Rio, then by all means, Will will go a 2:06.9 at Trials.
Y’all are honestly so blind. Gyurta possibly the greatest 200 brestroker in history can’t even break 2:07 there is no way anyone from the U.S goes 2:06 at trials. Every year people say the WR is soft and multiple people will break it(example last year). What time won worlds last year though ? 2:07 high, so again I hate to break it to all of you,but get your hopes down because if the world record is broken it will only be 1 person and they will barely break it so please get these 2:06 low 2:05 predictions out of here.
200m Br 2:07.8
200m IM 1:56.35
400m IM 4:09.85
So it is written.
The 400 I.m should be a real fun race to watch. Clary, Lochte, Litherland, Prenot, Licon, and Kalizh will all be sub 4:10. The breaststrokers will be charging down that back half. I have no idea who wins but my instinct is for Licon and Chase.
Licon and prenot both for 400im.
Or scrapping for second if lochte swims.
I think chase Kalisz is in trouble.
200brs?, just like men’s 100bk, think
prenot-licon-cordes will be an exceptional race.
200im I think, David Nolan, licon, prenot, Dwyer, will be battling it out for third in the 1.56high region.
Licon 4:12 4 im for 5 th
1:57.0 200 im for 3 rd or 4 th
2:07.9-2:08.4 2 breast in a battle for the ages with cordes fink and prenot!
no way he swims 4im…NO WAY.
Licon’s backstroke has been a little off since his 200IM and 400IM in 2015 at NCAAs in Iowa City. I don’t quite think he’ll have the first 100 speed to swim a 1:55. If he can swim backstroke like he did in those two races in 2015, then he might have a shot at 1:55.