Bill Jones sets personal mark at Olympic trials

By Ken DeLaat

With family and friends and one of his former teachers there to support his efforts, swimmer Bill Jones of Fremont put up some fireworks of his own on July 4, posting his personal best time at the U.S. Olympic trials.

The former Packer swimmer competes for the Harvard Crimson along with his twin brother, Dan. Both were major contributors to a team that won three conference championships in the Ivy League, ECAC and EISL this season. Bill set school records in the 100 and 200 butterfly, breaking the record of James Lawler, who placed eighth at the trials four years ago. While health problems curtailed Dan’s training in mid-season, he is also in the Harvard’s top 10 all time finishers in both events.

While he will not be departing for Beijing this August, Bill, a senior at one of the most prestigious schools in the country, is one of a handful of aspiring swimmers who will ever reach the level of competition presented at Omaha.

“It was incredible,” an extremely proud Carol Jones said about watching her son compete. “There was so much excitement in the air. The whole experience was absolutely astounding.”

Teacher John Bull of Fremont High School was also there, keeping a promise he made to the Jones boys when they were in his class in eighth grade.

“That was a class act,” said Carol. “He told the boys back then if they ever made it he’d be there and he came. That says a lot about him.”

“I went down to see Bill swim, but also to support the family,” Bull said. “This is an amazing family. I’ve had all four boys in class and they were the kind of students that did all you asked and more. Their talents, all of them, go way beyond athletics. They all have very high expectations for themselves and they drive themselves toward excellence.”

“Carol should get an award for ‘All-time Mom of the year’ or something,” Bull added. “She’s done a phenomenal job with those boys.”

“I just tried to teach them to have great aspirations,” Carol Jones said. “I told them to not be afraid to shoot for the stars. Set high standards for yourselves and keep reaching higher.”