Academy of Notre Dame’s Mia Abruzzo is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
A senior co-captain, Mia Abruzzo holds the Academy of Notre Dame records in the 50 free (24.19), 100 free (51.84 – tie), 500 free (4:46.89), 100 fly (54.91), 200 IM (1:59.24), 200 medley relay (1:45.37), 200 free relay (1:37.11) and 400 free relay (3:38.12). “Mia is the fastest swimmer the Irish have ever had,” said Academy of Notre Dame swimming coach Brigit Barry. “Maybe more importantly, she is a true leader on the team. She swam in events that we needed her to swim throughout her entire Irish career and could always be counted on to anchor a relay and swim her absolute best in any given race.” Abruzzo is currently focusing on Olympic Trials that are coming up in June, and will swim the 200 fly and 400 IM. In the fall, she will swim for the University of Georgia.
Q: You broke the Academy of Notre Dame records this winter in the 50 free (24.19), 100 free (51.84) and 200 free relay (1:37.11, along with teammates Ashley Kolessar, Emily Hamill and Devyn Sargent). What do you think was your best swim this winter, and what was the key to your performance that day?
A: Although our season was short, my teammates and I were able to do awesome things in the water. My best swim of the season was probably in the 200 free relay, since I was surrounded and swimming with my teammates. I feel a sense of pride by being able to be a part of a relay that consists of my friends and classmates.
Q: You hold school records in eight events – which one means the most to you and why?
A: The relays definitely mean the most to me since I was able to do it with my team. There’s no better feeling than achieving something with your friends and teammates.
Q: Tell us a little about your training regimen for the Olympic Trials. What aspect of your swimming have you been working on the most recently?
A: Recently, I have been focusing on training hard and doing everything my coaches advise me to do. I have also been working on my underwaters.
Q: You mentioned that your brother Andrew, and your two club coaches, Dick Shoulberg and Caroline Boland, have been your biggest swimming mentors. Can you share with us what are the most important things each of them have taught you?
A: My brother, Andrew, has taught me how to truly work hard and has shown me how far hard work can take you in this sport. My coaches, Dick Shoulberg and Caroline Boland, have mentored and coached me to not only become the best version of myself as a swimmer, but as a person as well.
Q: What is your favorite swimming venue, and why?
A: My favorite swimming venue is the IUPUI Natatorium in Indiana. I love this pool because Olympic Trials were held there in the past, and they have the qualifiers’ names on the walls.
Fun facts – Mia Abruzzo
Favorite TV show: Friends.
Favorite pre-meet pump-up song: Shower by Becky G.
Favorite team: University of Tampa lacrosse team.
Favorite place to visit: “The Jersey shore.”
Person I most admire, and why: “I admire many people in my life, but my grandmother, Bonnie Muzychka, is someone I look up to more than anyone else in the world. She has taught me to find the good in everything, and to always keep a smile on my face.”
Siblings: Andrew (oldest), Tori (middle sister), Gabi (youngest).
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
