Liberty’s Hudson Williams has two record swims at D-I boys state meet
CANTON – Hudson Williams lives two hours from Branin Natatorium, the site of the state swimming and diving meet, but the Olentangy Liberty senior couldn’t be blamed if he considers the venerable facility his second home.
Williams has had some of his top moments there, including winning the Division I 50-yard freestyle as a junior and setting the pool’s 100 free record six weeks ago during the Northeast Classic.
During Saturday’s state finals, Williams put an appropriate bow on his high school career, sweeping the 50 and 100 free in state- and pool-record times of 19.55 and 42.98, respectively.
“I just come in every day and have my own mindset about how to improve myself and my races,” said Williams, a North Carolina State recruit who did not break 20 seconds in the 50 free until December. “I have goals and times I want to meet. I wanted to come in, break that record for my team and my family.
“I went fast at district and just wanted to be faster here. I am glad for that. All I can credit my improvement to is my coaches.”
Upper Arlington senior Grant Gooding, a Louisville signee, won the 100 breaststroke in 53.54, 0.01 off the state record. He also finished second in the 200 individual medley (1:47.85) to Westerville Central’s Chase Swearingen (1:46.67), leading to the Golden Bears to their third runner-up finish in four seasons.
UA amassed 182 points, 105 behind a Cincinnati St. Xavier team that won its 14th championship in 15 years and 43rd overall.
The Golden Bears also got fourthplace finishes from their 200 free (1:23.64) and 200 medley (1:31.53) relays and podium appearances for Reid Caswell in the 500 free (tied for fifth, 4:34.97) and 200 free (seventh, 1:41.22).
Led by its runner-up 200 free (1:22.79) and 400 free (3:04.21) relays and Dean Sherrer’s third-place finish in the 100 free (44.94) and 200 free (1:38.66), Dublin Jerome finished third (158) for the second consecutive season.
Liberty was fourth (129), building secondary points from its third-place 200 free (1:23.26) and 200 medley (1:31.37) relays.