Academy of Notre Dame swimmer Mia Abruzzo is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The junior swimmer, an Olympic Trial Qualifier, All-American swimmer and Easterns champion, holds a number of school records. On Jan. 15, she won the 50 free (24.46) and 100 fly (56.76) and contributed to the first-place finishes in the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay (posting a 24.85 split in the fly in the medley relay) as Academy of Notre Dame defeated Germantown Academy for the first time ever. Academy of Notre Dame swimming coach Brigit Barry said of the University of Georgia commit, “Mia’s fierce attitude and competitive nature make her a go-to swimmer to anchor any relay. We can always count on Mia to leave everything in pool and come through for the team when we need her most.”
Q: What is your most vivid memory of the meet against Germantown Academy – can you share it with us?
A: My most vivid memory from the meet was out touching GA for the win in the 200 medley relay. The entire team was so excited for the start of the meet, so winning the first event was an unforgettable feeling.
Q: You hold a number of school records – which one means the most to you and why?
A: The 400 free relay means the most to me because Notre Dame placed second at Easterns.
Q: What aspect of your swimming have you been working on the most recently?
A: I have been working on my under waters which always need improvement.
Q: Can you walk us through a typical day, or cycle, of training?
A: Most days I wake up and do the vasa trainer, go to morning practice, head to school, go back to the pool for afternoon practice, do some dryland, and then go home and do some homework.
Q: You mentioned that your brother Andrew has been your biggest swimming mentor. Can you share with us what is the most important thing he has taught you?
A: The most important thing that my older brother has taught me is how to truly work hard.
Q: You have an impressive swimming resume – which swimming accomplishment means to most to you and why?
A: Getting an Olympic Trial cut means the most to me because it is the highest qualifying meet in swimming.
Q: What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: My favorite swimming venue is the IUPUI because it has a lot of history.
Fun facts – Mia Abruzzo
Favorite TV show: Friends.
Favorite Team: JU’s lacrosse team.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Shower by Becky G.
Favorite place to visit: “The Jersey shore.”
Person I most admire, and why: “The people I admire the most are my brother and my two current club coaches, Dick Shoulberg and Caroline Boland. These people have accomplished so much and have gotten me to the point I am today.”
Siblings: older brother Andrew, younger 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.)
To view a gallery of the Main Line Girls Athletes of the Week from 2013 to present click here
