Stephen Slezak, Campus Carrier asst. sports editor
The Berry men and women’s swim and dive season is in full swing as the first semester of competitions has wrapped up. The team’s most recently finished up a meet at Centre College. The men finished fifth overall, defeating conference opponent Sewanee, with the women finishing sixth and defeating Sewanee [as well].
Sophmore Nick Fonzo finished first in multiple events while also breaking records. He won the 100 backstroke and finished with the eigth fastest time in the nation this season; 48.52 seconds. Fonzo then set a school record in the 200 backstroke; 1:48.72 seconds. Fonzo is now ranked first in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) in all backstroke events. Additionally, he finished first in the conference in the 100 fly; 49.48 seconds.
Astrid Escobar, head coach of the men’s and women’s swim and dive team, recognizes Fonzo as one of the great Berry swimmers.
“Nick is a superstar for us,” Escobar said. “He is helping reset what Berry swim and dive is about. People know that he is a good swimmer but people don’t realize what a great swimmer he is. He is incredibly versatile and can do about anything that I want to put him in.”
Escobar is in her third year as head coach for the Vikings. In 2022 she was named SAA men’s coach of the year.
“It is rewarding to see [Berry swimmers] reap the rewards of their hard work,” Escobar said. “In the day to day it is so rewarding for me to see these kids that are so committed to the process, showing up every day knowing that practice is going to be hard. That for me is the most rewarding part—getting to see them continue to have faith in themselves.”
Senior Sam Tate is excited for the year and aims to build off the previous seasons and watch the team succeed. So far, the men have started off well, with times being reached by athletes that have never been done before.
“The season is definitely off to a great start for the team,” Tate said. “Almost everyone on the team has [set a personal best] time during the season so far. On the men’s side, we currently have three relays that are ranked in the top 15 nationally in D3. I would say making nationals is definitely a goal for people on our team and we’re excited to go out and compete at a national level.”
The women have also had success at the first half of the year, recently achieving two fourth place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle and in the 400 yard medley.
Being a part of the swim and dive team at Berry is special to the members of the team. Senior Andrew Horn says that his favorite aspect of being on the team is…
“My favorite thing about being on the swim and dive team here at Berry is how supportive everyone is,” Horn said. “Swimming is a hard sport, and we do a good job of uplifting each other and pushing each other to get better every single day.”
For Tate, the best part of being on the team is not just the competition — it’s the bond he shares with his teammates. Tate believes the close-knit dynamic creates a unique camaraderie within the team.
“I like the closeness of the team,” Tate said. “Our team is smaller than the average college swim team, and I think it helps foster more of a sense of togetherness. We enjoy spending time with each other both in and out of the pool, and I know that if I ever need anything, anyone on the team would lend a hand no matter what.”
Not just swim and dive, but every athletic team at Berry in some way tries to plug into the Berry community and help support each other.
“We love to go to other sporting events on campus,” Tate said. “We frequently go to men’s and women’s soccer games and volleyball games. I would say our team also does a great job of seizing opportunities offered by SAAC [Student-Athlete Advisory Committee] and the Athletic department.”
Horn also spoke about the volunteer opportunities the team has done in the Rome community.
“The team has plugged into the Berry and Rome community through volunteer opportunities,” Horn said. “We volunteered at the election center in Rome on election day and we also have done some work at the Spires.”
The competition picks back up again on Jan 18, where the Vikings will compete at Emory University. The SAA tournament begins Feb. 12, with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Championships beginning March 19.