Jack Williamson is pictured with the two gold medals he won in swimming competitions in the Move United Junior Nationals event held July 17-23. He also received a bronze medal in the event, which was his first swim meet competition.
Jack Williamson garners gold medals at national competition
Jack Williamson, age 9, of Sterling took home two gold medals and one bronze in the Move United Junior Nationals event held July 17-23 in the Denver metro area.
Over 300 athletes from across the nation competed in the event, which is an annual multi-sport event for youth with a physical, visual and/or intellectual impairment who are classifiable under the International Paralympic Committee’s classification system.
Athletes have to qualify with a sport standard to attend, and they can compete, by age group and classification, in the same sports that are in the Paralympics.
Jack is the son of Levi and Karin Williamson, who were both born and raised in Holyoke, and the grandson of Mark and Joanie Groshans and David and Linda Williamson of Holyoke.
Karin said Jack, who was born with fibular hemimelia and had his right leg amputated below the knee when he was 10 months old, is a natural-born athlete and has overcome a lot.
At Move United Junior Nationals, Jack competed in five events in his first-ever swim meet. He won gold in the 25-meter and 50-meter freestyle and bronze in the mixed 100-meter freestyle multiclass relay. Additionally, he competed in the 25-meter backstroke and 25-meter breaststroke events.
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