2021-22 Swimming & Diving Roster
Paulson, Colton
Colton Paulson
- Position:
- Free/IM
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Groveland, Ill.
- High School:
- Peoria Notre Dame
Bio
Junior: Paulson had another standout year for the Cardinals, qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the third-straight year. At NCAAs, he placed 23rd in the 200 freestyle (1:34.25) and 25th in the 100 freestyle (42.72). Paulson also earned bronze after anchoring the 400 freestyle relay in 41.90 and split 1:32.77 on the 800 freestyle relay that finished eighth. At the ACC Championships, he finished fifth in the 200 freestyle (1:33.94), 13th in the 100 freestyle (43.01), and 24th in the 500 freestyle (4:24.70). He also earned bronze at ACCs on the 800 freestyle relay where he split 1:33.76. Paulson posted five top-8 finishes throughout the shortened dual meet season, highlighted by wins in the 500 freestyle against Cincinnati and the 200 freestyle versus Kentucky. He was also the runner-up in the 100 freestyle against the Wildcats and placed third in the 200 freestyle against Notre Dame. For his efforts in the classroom, Paulson was named to the All-ACC Academic Team.
Sophomore: Paulson had a breakout year during his second season with the Cardinals and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 200 freestyle before the meet was cancelled. At the ACC Championships, he won the 200 freestyle (1:33.77), finished ninth in the 500 freestyle (4:16.75), took 14th in the 1650 freestyle (15:13.44), and split a 1:32.87 on UofL’s winning 800 freestyle relay. He won the 200 freestyle (1:34.95) at the NCAA Last Chance Meet and finished second (1:35.30) in that event as well as eighth in the 500 freestyle (4:28.22) at the Purdue Invitational. Paulson recorded eight top-5 finishes throughout dual meet competition, highlighted by a victory in the 200 freestyle (1:38.40) against Tennessee.
Freshman: Paulson made an immediate impact in the middle distance events in his first season as a Cardinal, qualifying for the NCAA Championships as a member of the 800 and 400 free relays. At NCAAs, he anchored the 800 free relay with a split of 1:32.85 to help the Cards finish sixth overall and break the school record. He also competed on the sixth place 400 free relay, splitting a 43.25. At ACCs, Paulson scored 50 points for the Cards with a seventh place finish in the 200 free (1:34.52), ninth place finish in the 500 free (4:16.53) and 18th place finish in the 1650 free (15:15.88). He also earned a gold medal as part of the Cards’ 800 free relay team. At the IU Invitational, he qualified for finals in both the 200 and 500 free, highlighted by an 11th place showing in the 200. During the dual meet season, Paulson tallied seven top-three finishes throughout the year, including a pair of wins in the 200 free against Northwestern and Xavier. For his efforts in the classroom, Paulson was named to the All-ACC Academic Team. Paulson recorded best times in all of his events at Phillips 66 Nationals, finishing 26th in the 200m free (1:49.11), 30th in the 400m free (3:55.90) and 31st in the 100m free (50.49).
Prep: Paulson, a freestyle specialist, swam for Peoria Notre Dame High School in Illinois under coach Shawn Ribardy, where he won both the 200 and 500 free at the most recent IHSA State Championships in 2018. By picking up the two victories, he finished his high school swimming career as a four-time state champion and was a 12-time All-American. Paulson swam club with Redbird Swim Club and coach John Almeida, where he achieved USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors. He earned a bronze medal in the 200-meter free at the 2017 NCSA Championships and competed in the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships in the 200-meter free, 400-meter free and 200-meter IM. He holds best times of 1:35.93 in the 200 free, 4:20.86 in the 500 free, 1:51.81 in the 200 IM and 4:00.04 in the 400 IM.
Personal: Son of Tom and Michelle Paulson. Born on Aug. 16, 2000.
Sophomore: Paulson had a breakout year during his second season with the Cardinals and qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 200 freestyle before the meet was cancelled. At the ACC Championships, he won the 200 freestyle (1:33.77), finished ninth in the 500 freestyle (4:16.75), took 14th in the 1650 freestyle (15:13.44), and split a 1:32.87 on UofL’s winning 800 freestyle relay. He won the 200 freestyle (1:34.95) at the NCAA Last Chance Meet and finished second (1:35.30) in that event as well as eighth in the 500 freestyle (4:28.22) at the Purdue Invitational. Paulson recorded eight top-5 finishes throughout dual meet competition, highlighted by a victory in the 200 freestyle (1:38.40) against Tennessee.
Freshman: Paulson made an immediate impact in the middle distance events in his first season as a Cardinal, qualifying for the NCAA Championships as a member of the 800 and 400 free relays. At NCAAs, he anchored the 800 free relay with a split of 1:32.85 to help the Cards finish sixth overall and break the school record. He also competed on the sixth place 400 free relay, splitting a 43.25. At ACCs, Paulson scored 50 points for the Cards with a seventh place finish in the 200 free (1:34.52), ninth place finish in the 500 free (4:16.53) and 18th place finish in the 1650 free (15:15.88). He also earned a gold medal as part of the Cards’ 800 free relay team. At the IU Invitational, he qualified for finals in both the 200 and 500 free, highlighted by an 11th place showing in the 200. During the dual meet season, Paulson tallied seven top-three finishes throughout the year, including a pair of wins in the 200 free against Northwestern and Xavier. For his efforts in the classroom, Paulson was named to the All-ACC Academic Team. Paulson recorded best times in all of his events at Phillips 66 Nationals, finishing 26th in the 200m free (1:49.11), 30th in the 400m free (3:55.90) and 31st in the 100m free (50.49).
Prep: Paulson, a freestyle specialist, swam for Peoria Notre Dame High School in Illinois under coach Shawn Ribardy, where he won both the 200 and 500 free at the most recent IHSA State Championships in 2018. By picking up the two victories, he finished his high school swimming career as a four-time state champion and was a 12-time All-American. Paulson swam club with Redbird Swim Club and coach John Almeida, where he achieved USA Swimming Scholastic All-American honors. He earned a bronze medal in the 200-meter free at the 2017 NCSA Championships and competed in the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships in the 200-meter free, 400-meter free and 200-meter IM. He holds best times of 1:35.93 in the 200 free, 4:20.86 in the 500 free, 1:51.81 in the 200 IM and 4:00.04 in the 400 IM.
Personal: Son of Tom and Michelle Paulson. Born on Aug. 16, 2000.
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