Who is William A. Licon

Will Licon is an American competitive swimmer who specializes in IM and breaststroke. He was born on 25 August 1994 in El Paso and attended Vista Ridge High School and the University of Texas when he was a teenager. Instead of completing the high school season, he turned to the long course and 2012 Olympic Trials instead.

University Career

2013-2014

As a freshman, Licon was already a standout in the class. He was able to finish 5th during the NCAA Championships in the 400-meter IM event. He also finished in 12th for the 200-meter breaststroke and 14th in the 200-meter IM, which was that bad.

Before this, Licon was included as the Big 12 Champion in the 400-meter IM and 200-meter breaststroke. Later on, he was able to finish 4th in the 200-meter IM during his third event.

2014-2015

Thanks to his capabilities, Licon was qualified to compete in the NCAA Championships for two years in a row. In the first event, which was the 200-yeard IM, Licon competed against David Nolan from Standford, who previously broke the American record. Although Licon was able to break the American record, the winning was Nolan’s.

Later on, he participated in the 400-yard IM, and due to his skilful abilities, Licon was noted to be the 4th fastest swimmer of all-time in the event.

Another best event for Licon was the 200-yeard breaststroke when he competed against Kevin Corded. The result of the battle was Licon winning the event and helping Texas to win the national championships.

2015-2016

Again, this was Licon’s best year. In NCAA Championships, his performance stunned everyone. He won the 200-meter IM with a time of 1:40.04 and also the 200-yard breaststroke while setting a new NCAA record, an American record, and also a pool record with a time record of 1:48.12.

He also participated in the 400-meter IM, which granted him a silver medal.

2016-2017

This time, Licon was securing not only one but five medals in various events, which helped Texas to be known to take the national title. The first medal was gold which he obtained in the 200 yards IM events with Mark Szaranek, which had the same finish time, 1:40.67.

On the same night, Licon got another gold medal again by winning the 400-yard medley relay with his fellow teammates. They even managed to break the NCAA and American record with the time of 2:59.22.

On the second day, Licon participated in the 100-yard breaststroke and got the gold for finishing first in 50.68. Later on, he helped the team in the 200-yard medley relay and won the gold medal while breaking, again, the NCAA and American record with the time recorded at 1:21.54.

Another record was set during the 200-yard breaststroke. He won first place in 1:47.91, setting a new record for both the NCAA and America. By doing so, he beams the first swimmer who can finish under 1:48.00.

International Career

2016 U.S Olympic Trials

During the Trials, Licon, unfortunately, missed a part of joining the American team by only 0.14 in the 200-meter breaststroke. He also finished 8th in the 100-meter breaststroke.

The 2019 Pan American Games

Moments later, he participated in the 2019 Pan American Games, the Games where Licon finally made the world know about his capabilities. He got two golds in the events for winning the 200-meter breaststroke and 200-meter IM with a time of 2:07.62 and 1:59.13.

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