University of North Carolina Athletics
2012-13 Swimming & Diving Roster
John Paul Gaylor
- Position:
- Distance Freestyle
- Height:
- 5-11
- Class:
- Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Knoxville, Tenn.
- High School:
- Bearden
Career Best Times: 1:40.76 in 200-yard freestyle; 4:28.95 in 500-yard freestyle; 9:19.23 in 1000-yard freestyle; 15:20.21 in 1650-yard freestyle.
2011-12: Wiped out all of his previous career best times in an excellent freshman season...set new marks at each freestyle distance from 200 through 1650 yards...took a pair of first-place finishes in the 2012 Virginia Tech Invitational, setting pool records in both events...he clocked a 4:28.95 in the 500 free and a 15:20.21 in the 1650 free....placed third in the Pier 2 Pier Open Water Swimming Championships in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. ...was timed in 34 minutes, 49 seconds over the 1.7-mile course...finaled in two events at the 2011 Nike Cup...was fourth in the 1650 free at 15:31.31 and seventh in the 500 free at 4:30.72...2011-12 ACC Honor Roll selection...earned Dean's List accolades in fall semester 2011...named a College Swimming Coaches Association of America honorable mention Scholar All-America.
Prep: A 2011 alumnus of Bearden High School...four-year swimmer there in the distance freestyle...also competed for the Pilot Aquatic Club...three-time captain of Bearden High School team...five-time high school All-America selection...three-time scholastic All-America honoree...valedictorian of his high school's senior class...member of National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta...AP Scholar with honors.
Personal: Jonathan Paul Gaylor is the son of Robert and Elizabeth Gaylor...was born December 18, 1992 in Knoxville, Tenn. ...double major in business administration and psychology...his father, Robert, played baseball at the University of Tennessee and played in the major leagues for the Montreal Expos as a shortstop...stands 5-11...was one of the primary spokespersons in the UNC Athletics "It Gets Better" video which debuted on YouTube in April 2012.18 Questions With Sophomore John Paul Gaylor
Section #1: Swimming & Diving
1. The best thing about being a Tar Heel swimmer/diver is the team atmosphere and camaraderie.
2. My favorite thing about competing for Coach DeSelm is his calm demeanor and passion for the sport.
3. Since last year the aspect of my training I've worked on the most my freestyle turns.
4. My greatest strength as a swimmer is my work ethic and endurance.
Section #2: Hobbies & Interests
1. Away from the pool and academic pursuits I like to spend time reading or taking/editing pictures.
2. The best movie I've seen recently is The Avengers.
3. If I could compete in another sport at UNC it would be soccer.
4. The music act I'd most like to see in person is Mumford and Sons.
5. The personal interest I have that might surprise my teammates is photography.
Section #3: Food & Beverage
1. After a big meet, I'd like to eat at a buffet spread that included everything and anything Italian.
2. My favorite beverages is McAllister's Sweet Tea.
3. My favorite food made by a relative is my grandmother's peanut butter fudge.
4. My favorite place to eat in Chapel Hill is Jack Sprat.
5. My favorite guilty pleasure food wise is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Section #4: Personality
1. If I possessed the gift of time travel I'd like to go to New York in the 1920s.
2. My most prized personal possession is my Nikon.
3. If I could go to dinner with a famous person it would be John Green.
4. The most interesting person I've met at UNC is Sean Lane.
