Mechanical engineering student Jadon Wuilliez '25 is representing Team Antigua and Barbuda in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. 

As an incoming first-year, Wuilliez was required to submit a video for the TCU swim team about why he chose TCU. His answer? The Olympics. 

Fast forward four years, and Wuilliez is fulfilling his dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer. He is one of a record nine Horned Frogs who made it to Paris.

Wuilliez knew that in order to attend college in America, he would need to be recruited athletically. Growing up in Antigua, his parents had him play many sports before discovering his natural aptitude in the water. Somewhere along the way, swimming transitioned from a fun activity with friends to a serious endeavor

“It's something I couldn't live without,” he says. “As much as it is difficult, life doesn't feel right without it. Now, I'm swimming every day.”

James Winchester, TCU Swimming and Diving Coach, reached out to Wuilliez when he was living in England and looking into American colleges. “He knew a lot about what i was doing and what I was looking for, “ Wuilliez explained. This was a huge help to the athlete in navigating the recruitment process. 

Winchester emphasized the “family” dynamic of TCU’s swimming team. When asked if this was his experience on the team, Wuilliez didn't hesitate. 

“Most definitely, 100 times over,” he exclaims. “I’ve made friends here that I’ll never forget.” 

On top of maintaining peak swim performance with practices, weightlifting, and team meetings, Wuilliez had a full course load in his mechanical engineering major. 

While it’s taken time for the Olympian to find his groove, he credits his support system for helping him find balance. 

“I figured it out from making mistakes and seeing what other people like my classmates and teammates were doing,” Wuilliez says. “Creating relationships with my classmates and professors is huge. They all understand and support me.” 

Wuilliez has always had an aptitude for science and math. He enjoys looking at things from a mechanical standpoint of how to improve processes and make them more efficient. This knowledge doesn’t pertain solely to the classroom, but he applies what he learns to his sport.

“One thing that sticks with me is Newton’s Third Law: every action has an equal and opposite reaction,” Wuilliez explains. “When you dive in the pool, and you don't stretch accordingly, it's going to react. You won't do as well in the water.” 

This chain of reaction reminds Wuilliez to take things one step at a time and see the importance in seemingly little things. 

“The algorithm processes that we do helps me focus instead of going through the motions,” he says. “Be intentional, take it step by step, and if you fall, fall forward.” 

Wuilliez doesn’t claim to have everything figured out, but he does believe in the power of focus and hard work.  

His advice to other student-athletes, or any dreamer, is three-fold:  

“Set goals for yourself, short, medium and long term. Have something to look forward to when it gets repetitive.  

Second, stay super disciplined in your routine. It’s okay to have bad days, weeks or months. If you're dedicated to what you want to do, you can do it. What separates people from being good and being great is that discipline.  

Third, make friends along the way. That’s what you’ll remember most.” 

After the Olympics, Wuilliez will return to TCU for his senior year. His goal is to maximize his potential as a swimmer and leave a legacy in the process. “I want to finish my swimming career knowing I did my absolute best. I want to put my name on the record board.” 

Of his time at TCU, he shares, “I’ve had experiences that will stick with me forever. It's been unreal.”

Watch Jadon Wuilliez compete in the 100-meter breaststroke in the 2024 Olympics beginning July 27.