Norman North’s Greg Williams has been a member of the swim program since elementary school. Getting his start early has helped him develop into one of the top swimmers in the area. Having upperclassmen to look up to developed a since of pride in the program and drove Williams to become part of that group.
“The Norman North team when I was in elementary and middle school was one of the best teams the state ever saw and there were quite a few guys to look up to. Guys like Aiden Hayes, Jonathan Tang, Daniel Wilson and Nathan Tucker all set records and swam insanely fast which was motivating for a kid like me, so I’d say they inspired me,” Williams said.
Building relationships with his teammates and working towards common goals has helped Williams and this team come together.
“I love the ease with which we can all joke with one another. It’s clear that many of us take swimming very seriously and want to push ourselves, but it’s also clear that we want to have fun with it and enjoy it all together,” Williams said.
This season Williams is hopeful he can make a run in his best event.
“One of my biggest hopes is to place higher in the 100 backstroke at state this year, as well as place higher with my relays which I think have even more potential than last year to do well. They’re mostly returning guys, and we all want to make the most of the time we have on the team,” said Williams. “I’m sticking with my 100 backstroke as always, as well as my two relays, the 200 medley relay [which Williams will swim the backstroke leg] and the 400 freestyle relay. I’m still experimenting for my second individual event, but I might end up back at the 200 IM which I’ve done my whole high school career.”
Williams takes the same focus into the classroom.
“I love my AP Physics class even though it’s the hardest class I take, and I have way too many favorite teachers to pick but I think since I had Senora Roach, my Spanish teacher for three straight years I should mention her, her class was amazing and she really poured into us as students,” Williams said.
Swim is not the only extra-curricular activity Williams is involved in at NNHS.
“I’m president of my school’s Rotary club which is such a great opportunity for me. I also am extremely involved in SPUD. I’m on the superintendent’s student advisory council, I’m the senior class treasurer, and then I’m also very involved in my church leading worship and a small group and helping with the elementary age kids,” Williams said.
In his free time, Williams said he spends a lot of time playing guitar.
“I spend a lot of time messing around on the guitar, learning songs and occasionally writing, or at least trying to write my own. We also watch our fair share of football at my house,” Williams said.
