Sometimes, breaking free from the routine is the key to unlocking greatness. We often hear about the rigid demands of swimming, where missing a practice can feel like a setback of weeks. But what if a little experimentation could lead to extraordinary results? That's the story of UNCW junior William Carrico, who shattered a school record, proving that sometimes, a fresh approach is all it takes.
Carrico, already a dominant force as the defending CAA Champion in multiple events, including the 200 breaststroke, 400 IM, and 500 free, decided to embark on a "new project" with his coach, Bobby Guntoro.
But here's where it gets controversial... Why change a winning formula? Especially when his best time in the 400 IM, a blistering 3:44.81, could have earned him an NCAA invite! Yet, Carrico and Guntoro took a chance, and the results speak volumes.
Their "new project" focused on the 200 IM, and the progress has been remarkable. Starting with a personal best of 1:49 at the beginning of the season, Carrico clocked 1:47 in October 2025 and an astounding 1:44 in November 2025. This culminated in a stunning 1:44.69 performance, demolishing the previous UNCW record of 1:45.12 set in 2023 by Henderson Louviere.
Coach Guntoro explained that the focus over the past two years was on building Carrico's endurance. Now, they are introducing more speed endurance and stroke-specific power.
And this is the part most people miss... The improvements weren't just about speed; they were about a refined approach. Analyzing his splits reveals a dramatic improvement in the front-end of his races. In just six weeks, Carrico shaved off over 2 seconds on the front half and nearly a second on the back half.
Here's a breakdown of the impressive split comparisons:
| | November 15, 2023 | October 10, 2025 | November 21, 2025 |
| :---------------- | :---------------- | :--------------- | :---------------- |
| Pre-Season PB | | Previous PB | New PB |
| Fly | 24.85 | 24.53 | 23.47 |
| Back | 26.92 | 26.60 | 25.39 |
| Breast | 31.13 | 30.03 | 30.15 |
| Free | 26.81 | 26.47 | 25.68 |
| | 1:49.71 | 1:47.63 | 1:44.69 |
The speed gains were evident in other areas as well. Even when not at his best in the 400 IM, Carrico split a blazing 1:35.27 in the 800 free relay, faster than his time at last year's conference meet. He also showcased his newfound speed with impressive breaststroke splits in the medley relays.
What do you think? Are you impressed by William Carrico's bold move to try new things? Do you think this approach is more common than we realize? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
