Meet the Freshmen: Andrea Rezzonico
11/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 4, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - For freshman freestyler Andrea Rezzonico, speed is everything, a fact that is borne out by his favorite event, the 100 freestyle.
"It's short, you have to give everything you have to do your best," Rezzonico said.
Rezzonico, a native of Castel San Pietro, Switzerland swam for Adriano Laguzzi at Mendrisiotto Nvoto/Mendrisio Club. Before coming to The University of Alabama he spent a year in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., training with the Coral Springs Swim Club, the same club that Alabama alumni swimmers Vlad Polyakov and Arlene Semeco trained with prior to the 2008 Olympics.
"In Switzerland you have to choose sport or school, you can't do both," Rezzonico said. "You have to come to the U.S. to have the option to do both."
After 13 years of swimming, Rezzonico's transition from high school to college has been very different than he expected.
"Back home we only had one practice a day," Rezzonico said."Here we practice twice a day, which is tough but the practices are getting better."
Rezzonico has enjoyed getting to know his fellow teammates and participate in team activities outside of the pool. One of the biggest differences he has noticed since joining Alabama is the team pride and traditions at the school.
"In Switzerland swimming is an individual sport," Rezzonico said. "It's exciting here because you are swimming for the university not only yourself. I like the team, they are very friendly," Rezzonico said. "They have helped adjust to college life and help with everything I need."
Rezzonico is studying business with a concentration in finance. After graduation he hopes to work in a bank or the financial industry.
"I like working with money and am really interested in the stock market," Rezzonico said.
Players Mentioned
