Update: Bethesda Native Wilson’s Olympic Dream Is Alive as He Advances to Finals

Bethesda native Andrew Wilson, who is believed to be the first swimmer ever to compete in NCAA Division III and make the U.S. Olympic Team, kept his Olympic dream alive as he claimed the eighth and final spot in Monday’s 100-meter breaststroke finals.

Wilson advanced on Saturday through the preliminary heats and then in Sunday’s semifinals he posted the eighth-fastest time among the 16 remaining competitors, 59.18 seconds. The final will be held on Monday at 11:12 a.m. in Tokyo/Sunday at 10:12 p.m. ET.

US swimmer Andrew Wilson made his Olympic debut today, becoming the first Division III swimmer to make the Olympics.

And yet, he barely even made his college team.

A thread on this incredible rise:

— Nahiyan Ahmad (@nahiyanahmad) July 25, 2021

Wilson grew up swimming at Kenwood Country Club in Bethesda. He attended a boarding school in Massachusetts and then Emory University in Atlanta, where he narrowly made the swimmming team before rapidly improving throughout his career. At 27 years old, Wilson was one of the feel good stories emerging from the U.S. Olympic Trials.

"I was one of the worst on the team; but the coaching staff…taught me to be the swimmer I am today."

Andrew Wilson swam for @EmoryUniversity – he's the first Division 3 swimmer to make the #Olympics.

He advanced to the finals in #Tokyo. He now trains w/ @UGASwimDive #11Alive pic.twitter.com/6fSpLOsaZL

— Cheryl Preheim (@CherylPreheim) July 25, 2021

On Saturday, there were seven heats, with the top 16 times advancing to Sunday’s semifinals. Wilson posted the second-fastest time in his heat and seventh-fastest overall, at 59.03 seconds. Another American, Michael Andrew, had the third-fastest time at 58.62 seconds, still well off the pace set by defending gold medalist Adam Peaty of Great Britain at 57.56 seconds.

Both American 100 breastrokers, Michael Andrew and Andrew Wilson, easily into the semifinals. British monster Adam Peaty is of course the top seed by light years.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) July 24, 2021

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Families and Friends Will Be Watching Olympics from Afar

About Josh Barr

Josh Barr covered sports for The Washington Post for 17 years and is the author of two books. He lives in Bethesda with his wife and two daughters

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