John Sands

Position:
Freestyle
Height:
5-11
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Newark, Ohio
High School:
Granville

Career Best Times: 20.19 in the 50-yard freestyle; 45.45 in the 100-yard freestyle.

General: Has not competed since 2005-06 season because of recurring injury problems...a top sprinter for Carolina...took a medical redshirt in 2006-07 and will medically redshirt again in 2007-08...two-year letterman.

2006-07: Redshirted the season due to injury.

2005-06: Ranked third on the UNC depth chart in the 50 free and seventh in the 100 free...swam in three events at the ACC Championships for Carolina...finished 14th in the 50-yard freestyle at 20.64...swam the third leg on the 200 freestyle relay, splitting a 20.19.

2004-05: Had UNC's top time of the 2004-05 season in the 50-yard freestyle and the fifth best time in the 100 free...had an outstanding season in his first year as a Tar Heel...was the top Carolina finisher at ACC's in the 50-yard freestyle in 10th place at 20.65...anchored the fifth-place 200-yard medley relay team with a 20.18 split...led off the fourth-place 200-yard freestyle relay, turning in a 20.53 split...also led off the 400-yard freestyle relay team with a split of 45.70.

Prep: Graduated from Granville High School in Granville, Ohio on June 13, 2004...seven-time All-America selection... was the fastest high school 50-yard freestyler in the country in 2003-04...state champion in the 50-yard freestyle his senior year...Ohio State University pool record holder in the 50-yard freestyle...Junior National Champion in the 50 free...part of the 17-18 year old age bracket national record holding 200-meter freestyle relay team...high school team captain...four-time high school team MVP.

Personal: Given name is John Thomas Sands...born December 25, 1985 in Zanesville, Ohio...son of Tom and Pat Sands...has one sister, Sarah.

Substantively Sands
Academic Major at Carolina: Political Science & History
Career Plans: Teaching, graduate school, coaching swimming
Hobbies: Snow boarding, water skiing
Athlete I Most Admire: Phil Owen and Muhammad Ali
Biggest Sports Thrill: Setting the Ohio State University pool record in the 50 free
Person Who Has Had The Greatest Influence on My Athletic Career: My club coach Brad Burget
Favorte Book: The Cups of Tea, The Places in Between
Favorite Magazine: Newsweek
Favorite Food: My mom's spaghetti
Favorite Movie: Superbad
Favorite TV Show: Deadliest Catch, The Office
Favorite Website To Visit: espn.com
City I've Never Been To But Want To Visit: Rome, Italy
Entertainment Figure I'd Most Like To Have Dinner With: Michael Jordan