Brian Via joined the team in 2004 as a Terrific FISH only to find out that he won't be swimming much during the season. He got so sick that swimming was not an option. However, he cam back in 2005 and progressively worked from Terrific through Incredible to finally the Awesome FISH group. Brian has been working extremely hard ever since he came back after a complicated break in this leg after the summer. We felt he deserves special attention and the coaches decided to make him FISH of the Month for November. In an interview, Brian had this to say:
You have had a fantastic season so far even though you suffered from a major injury over the summer. What motivated you to come back so strong? How difficult was it?
Being away from the pool was like being a FISH out of water. Since I was out of the water for months, I was behind the group, as far as conditioning, and my stroke mechanics were not what they had been before the injury. I was able to get it all back very quickly through great coaching and intense physical therapy.
What do you like best about swimming, what do you not like about swimming?
The thrill that comes from reaching my goal, the goal that I have been working so hard for. THe one thing I don't like about swimming is that it provides me with a limited amount of time to date.
What is your most favorite set?
My favorite set would be 3000 @: 30 rest, 2000 @: 20 rest, 1000 @: 10 rest, because it presents a solid challenge which requires a lot of concentration if you want to do it well.
What are your favorite events?
I love all long freestyle events, anything from 200 and up.
What is the biggest challenge for you in swimming?
I am always challenged when we focus on kicking especially improving my kick after the broken leg.
What motivates you most?
I am motivated by the fact the I want to be part of the Junior National team and I want to be good enough to get a scholarship and swim in college. In addition, Coach Ray is a great motivation for me. He gives the best every time he coaches and I want to give my best as well.
Which aspects of swimming do you apply in every day life?
I have been using my time management skills which I learned through swimming in all the other parts of my life. I also know, that there are no short cuts and that hard work is required everywhere where I want to succeed.
What are your short term and long-term goals?
As I said before, I really would like to make the Jr. National team and enter college on a scholarship. However, for right know ia happy to set some new high school records and perhaps one day, I will become a member of the Senior National Team.
What kind of advice would you give your younger teammates?
There are always going to be obstacles, but if you stick with it and you put the effort in at practices, the results will show. And if you continue to train hard, you will only get better and better, continuing the cycle of constantly wanting to improve. Or advice in general, you can't just show up to practice and expect to get better just by going through thousands of yards; if you want to get better, you have to show up, AND be ready to work hard.
Tell me a little bit about you; what do you like to do when you are not swimming?
Capitols games, Redskins on TV, and Reading over my practices and studying my notebook.
