Jon Van Assen

Position:
Butterfly, Backstroke, Freestyle
Height:
6-1
Weight:
null
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
South River, N.J.
High School:
Bishop George Ahr

Career Best Times: 51.36 in the 100-yard backstroke; 1:52.33 in the 200-yard backstroke; 48.63 in the 100-yard butterfly; 20.97 in the 50-yard freestyle; 45.65 in the 100-yard freestyle; 1:41.54 in the 200-yard freestyle.

General: A three-time returning letterman for the Tar Heels...one of the team's most versatile swimmers who can swim the sprint freestyle, the butterfly and the backstroke...in 2004-05 he ranked No. 4 on the Tar Heel depth chart in the 50- and 100-yard freestyles and third in the 100-yard butterfly...product of the Scarlet Aquatic Club

2004-05: Excelled in his third season at Carolina...was rewarded with the team's Hill Carrow Spirit Award...also shared with Casey Kott the recognition of being the top strength and conditioning performer on the men's swimming team...at the ACC meet, he made the championship final in the 100-yard butterfly and placed sixth while breaking into the school's top 10 all-time in the event at No. 7 with a time of 48.63, his career best...swam the anchor leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay with a 20.17 split...also competed in the 100-yard freestyle where he took 13th in a career best 45.65...swam the third leg of the 400-yard freestyle relay...swam a career best 20.97 in the 50 free at the ACC meet...made the ACC Academic Honor Roll for the third straight year...made the Dean's List in both semesters of the 2004-05 school year.

2003-04: Had a very solid ACC Championships in his first as a scoring competitor as a Carolina swimmer...set two personal bests while swimming four events in the ACC Championships...made the consolation final and took 14th place in the 100-yard butterfly...finished 21st in the 100-yard backstroke...placed 24th in the 100-yard freestyle...swam the third leg of the sixth-place 200-yard freestyle relay with a 20.54 split time...tapped for ACC Academic Honor Roll for second straight year.

2002-03: Swam in the 2003 ACC Championships as an exhibition swimmer, competing in the 200-yard backstroke, 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard freestyle...swam in the summer of 2002 in the U.S. Nationals...was chosen for the 2002-03 ACC Academic Honor Roll...named to the UNC Dean's List in the spring semester of 2003.

Prep: A June 1, 2002 alumnus of Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison, N.J....swam for fours years as sprint freestyler, backstroker and butterflier...also competed for Scarlet Aquatic Club...was part of a club relay team which posted the best time in the nation in the 400 free relay...played three years of tennis at No. 1 flight singles on high school team...high school swim team captain his junior and senior years...five-time county high school champion as a swimmer...set two Middlesex County records...his club team won the sectional title...triumphed as a New Jersey junior Olympic champion on several occasions and made multiple junior national cuts...distinguished honors student and National Honor Society member.

Personal: Given name is Jonathan Martin Van Assen...born October 1, 1983 in Edison, N.J...son of John and Carol Van Assen...has two sisters... his mother was an All-America swimmer at the University of Florida...his father was a college tennis and basketball player...his older sister Jen was an All-America swimmer for University of South Carolina...his younger Jess is currently a sophomore swimming for South Carolina...nicknamed "Hollywood"...business major...plans for a career in finance...hobbies are playing basketball and ping pong...athlete he most admires is Michael Jordan...his two biggest athletic thrills were reaching the finals of the 100-yard butterfly at the 2005 ACC Championships and being a part of his Scarlet Aquatic Club's No. 1 nationally ranked 400-yard freestyle relay team...won the Tar Heel Blue challenge online as a high school student...truly appreciates his parents for always supporting him...his favorite book is A Coach's Life by Dean Smith...his favorite movies are the Lord of the Rings trilogy...his favorite TV shows are 24 and Pardon the Interruption.