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Julian Willoughby from Kingston, Jamaica, has made a verbal commitment to the admission process* at the University of Pennsylvania for 2027-28. At the time of his announcement, he wrote on social media:
“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Pennsylvania. First and foremost, I would like to thank God for this opportunity and for guiding me throughout this journey. Additionally, I am incredibly grateful for all my coaches, teammates, and fellow competitors, each of whom played a crucial role in my development both in and out of the water. Of course, none of this would have been possible without my family, whose constant support through every challenge and success shaped the path that has led me here. Lastly, I would like to thank all the coaching staff at UPenn, Coach Mike, Coach Emma and Coach Andrew, for believing in me and giving me this incredible opportunity.
GO QUAKERS!!!💙❤️”
Willoughby trains with Y Speedos Swim Club and represents Jamaica internationally. He kicked off the 2026 long course season at the XXXIX CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Martinique, where he competed in the 50 free, 50 back, 100 back, 50 breast, 50 fly, and 100 fly. He finished in 5th place in the 50 free final and medaled in the 200 free relay (silver), 400 free relay (gold), 800 free relay (gold), and 400 medley relay (bronze). He left Martinique with new PBs in the 50 breast (30.98) and 50 fly (26.30).
He bookended the summer at U.S. Junior National Championships, racing in the 50 free, 100 free, and 50 back. He placed 17th in the 50 free with a PB of 23.21 and earned new lifetime bests in the 100 free (51.82) and 50 back (27.53).
In September, Willoughby began the 2026-27 short course season at Doral Swim Club’s Season Opener. He clocked times of 20.36/45.46 in the 50/100 freestyle, winning both events. Those times are very similar to the SCY conversions of his best LCM swims from Summer Juniors.
Willoughby will join swimmers Alex Daile, Alex Koo, Ben Liang, Eric Chen, and Lysander Mihaly, and diver Zaid Nazif, in the Quakers’ class of 2031. He is projected to focus on sprints at Penn, and should be a strong addition to the relays, as well. It took 20.05/44.02 in the sprint freestyles and 47.87 in the 100 fly to score at the 2026 Ivy League Men’s Championships.
Best LCM times (converted):
- 50 free – 23.21 (20.18)
- 100 free – 51.82 (45.24)
- 50 fly – 26.30 (23.06)
- 100 fly – 58.02 (51.00)
- 50 back – 27.53 (22.88)
- 50 breast – 30.98 (27.00)
*Note: A verbal commitment between an Ivy League coach and a prospective student-athlete is not an offer of admission, as only the Admission Office has that authority. The coach can only commit his or her support in the admission process. Ivy League Admission Offices do not issue “Likely Letters” before October 1 of the prospective student-athlete’s senior year of high school. The Likely Letter, while issued after an initial read of the student’s application, is not an offer of admission to the university.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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