Academy of Notre Dame swimmer Mia Abruzzo is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The sophomore swimmer is undefeated in every individual event she has swam so far this season (200 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 100 fly, 100 back, 500 free). She has broken four school records this winter – 100 fly (55.65), 200 free (1:52.60), 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. Abruzzo anchored Notre Dame’s 400 free relay that defeated Germantown Academy for the first time time ever in this event Jan. 14, with a split of 51 on the end of the relay to hold off GA’s Emma Atkinson. At the Inter-Ac Championships Jan. 28, she finished first in the 200 IM (2:02.96) and the 100 fly (55.57), setting Burke Natatorium records in both.
Q: Which of your four school records means the most to you and why?
A: The 400 free relay means the most to me. Being a part of such a fast relay – with Kayleigh Olszewski, Madison Kolessar, and Ashley Kolessar – that proudly represents Notre Dame is very exciting to me.
Q: What is your most vivid memory from the 400 free relay race against GA Jan. 14?
A: The most memorable part was running GA down in the middle of the race. In the beginning, we were a little behind, but with the help of my teammates, by the time I dove in, we already had a lead. It was very exciting for our relay because we had never beaten GA in this race before, and they won Easterns in this event last year.
Q: What was your most memorable experience at this year’s Inter-Ac Championships?
A: My most memorable experience at Inter-Ac Champs was getting second in the 400 free relay. It was very exciting to be a part of a relay that placed so high.
Q: What aspect of your swimming have you been working on the most recently?
A: Recently, I have been working on my underwaters and trying to better my turns.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day, or cycle, of training?
A: On a typical day, I will wake up around 5 a.m. I will do about 30 minutes of the vasa trainer and then go to morning practice. I’ll swim from 6-7:15 and then go to school. After school, I’ll swim again from 3:45-6, and then do dryland from about 6:15-7 p.m.
Q: What pool did you first swim for? What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: I first swam for Plymouth Whitemarsh Aquatic Club, which is currently my club team now. My favorite swim venue is the IUPUI Natatorium.
Q: Who have been your biggest swimming mentors, and what was the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: My biggest mentor is my older brother, Andrew. He has set such a good example for me and has taught me everything that I need to know.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-meet preparation the day of a meet.
A: Before meets, I usually just try to drink a lot of water and try to stay calm.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Academy of Notre Dame? Is there a particular career path that interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite academic course at Notre Dame is chemistry. I really enjoy science and hope to do something in the medical field when I am older.
Fun facts – Mia Abruzzo
Favorite book: The Outsiders.
Favorite TV show: The Office.
Favorite athlete: Chase Kalisz.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Fine China.
Favorite team: UGA football.
Favorite place to visit: “The shore.”
Siblings: older brother Andrew; youngster sisters Tori and Gabi.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
