NEW COMMIT: The University of Louisville has gained a new verbal commitment for the fall of 2020 from Mentone, Calif. native and current high school junior Liberty Williams.
A talented freestyle who gets faster as the distance gets longer, Williams does her club swimming with Riverside Aquatics Association and owns a pair of U.S. Open cuts. She placed fifth in the mile and 15th in the 500 free at Juniors West in December before winning the 200/500 free combo at the Speedo Champions Series. She capped off her successful long course season with three lifetime bests and three top-15 finishes at Junior Nationals. She was also the runner-up in the mile and earned the bronze in the 1000 free at Carlsbad Speedo Sectionals last March.
Also competing for Redlands East Valley High School, Williams is a four-time CIF Southern Section DII Championships finalist and won the 500 free last season. The two-time NISCA All-American placed 10th in the 500 free at the CIF State Championships as a sophomore after taking ninth in the event during her freshman season.
She told Swimming World:
“I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to swim for the University of Louisville, but above all I am so extremely grateful for this opportunity. I cannot thank the current staff and team enough for showing me what it means to be a Card and welcoming me into their family. Thank you to my family, friends, and everyone involved in helping me make this difficult but wonderful decision, I couldn’t imagine myself here without having you all to support, teach, and motivate me throughout my swimming career thus far. Finally, to my future teammates: I cannot wait to meet you (if I haven’t already) and represent the Cards alongside you!! L’s up!”
Her best times include:
- 200 free – 1:50.51
- 500 free – 4:47.87
- 1000 free – 9:53.10
- 1650 free – 16:25.86
Even with 1.5 years of club swimming still to go before arriving in The ‘Ville, Williams would’ve scored in the C-final of the 500 free at the 2019 ACC Championships and her best mile time would’ve placed in the top-15 at the 2018 conference meet. She’ll also join Adeline Farrington, Paige McCormick, Gabi Albiero and Tristan Ulett at the start of the 2020-21 season.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
Liberty is a great young adult that is also an up and coming National level Open Water swimmer.