WILLIAM SONNER

1988 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Bill had an outstanding career as a backstroke swimmer dating back to the early 1940’s.  Swimming for the Pawtucket East High School in 1947 he captured the 100 yard backstroke championship in Rhode Island and placed second in New England.  In 1948 Bill was the number one backstroke swimmer in the United States in high school competition and was named to the All-American team.  That same year, Bill won the New England title in the 100 backstroke, and placed 7th in the National AAU Championship meet.

Bill swam for Ohio State University from 1949 through 1951 finishing first in the 100 backstroke at the Big Ten Meet in 1950, and in the top three in 1951.  Both years he was selected to the NCAA All-American Swimming Team.

A tour of duty in the Marine Corps, interrupted his stay at Columbus, Ohio, and when he returned to swimming it was at North Carolina State University.  Bill won the 100 yard backstroke and finished second in the 200 yard backstroke at the ACC Championships in 1955.  He placed 5th and 6th respectively at the NCAA Championships that same year.  Again, Bill was selected to the All-American Team.

He participated in swimming on the AAU leve, finishing in the top six places at both Indoor and Outdoor National Championships in 1956 and 1957.  Bill has coached both age group and college level swimmers in North Carolina, and is competing as a Masters swimmer at the present time.