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Helping lead the men’s swimming and diving team to an ACC Championship in 2008 and winning his first individual conference title in the 200 back, Bjorn Falk recently sat down with VirginiaSports.com to recap the season, discuss his passion for swimming and how an influential TA pointed him in a new career direction.
Question: How was Charlotte?
Falk: It was a great meet. I didn’t swim as well as I had hoped to, but I swam two best times so I can’t be too disappointed. The team as whole swam well. It was great to see Darren Ankosko make his first Olympic Trial cut.
Question: How do you feel about having so many Virginia swimmers competing at Olympic Trials?
Falk: I think we are sending a great group to the meet. Having a mixture of current team members, incoming first years and even alumni is very impressive for any team to send. I am proud to be a part of a team that can send this many people to the fastest meet in the world.
Question: You guys obviously had a great season, reclaiming the ACC Championship and earning a Top-15 finish at NCAAs. What was the highlight for you?
Falk: Definitely all four days of ACCs. We went into the meet knowing the deficit that we faced after diving and we were determined to obliterate it. On the first night we won both of the relays and broke one of the oldest records in the books (the 800 free relay). I remember going into our team locker room at the AFC and seeing the old 800 free record taped up on the wall and every year one of our goals at the beginning of the season has been to break that record. Each of my first two years we came close and finally this year we dominated it. After we won that relay every person on the team knew that we were not stopping until we reclaimed the title. It was great to feel that kind of unity with the team.
Question: Describe the feeling of winning your first individual championship this year in the 200 back.
Falk: I was so proud to win. In my first and second year, Dino told me that I could win. I remember turning around and seeing my team jumping up and down and there is no better feeling than knowing that I made them proud. Also, it was great to beat another swimmer after he had guaranteed he would win. It was the clichd “icing on the cake.”
Question: What is your favorite event to swim?
Falk: The 50 fly. Even though its not a real event, I still love racing it in practice. I can beat Lee Robertson in season, but when we are tapered, he kills me.
Question: When did you start swimming?
Falk: I began swimming almost on accident when I was 8. A nearby neighborhood team needed more swimmers for their roster and I was taking lessons at the pool. My swim instructor was the head coach and called my mom to ask if I would join. I’ve been racing ever since.
Question: What do you love about it?
Falk: My favorite thing about swimming is definitely taper racing. When we are at ACC’s it feels so good to know that we are all going to swim fast, and we
always do.
Question: What is your favorite Coach Bernardino quote or saying?
Falk: My first year at ACC’s we were in a very tight battle with Florida State. On the morning of the 400 IM we swam lights out and Mark was jumping up and
down and started yelling, “Don’t you ever give up! Don’t you ever give up!”
Question: What are your plans for the rest of the summer?
Falk: Keep on training, take one class and then head home in August for a little time off.
Question: What is the major you are pursing and what are your career plans or aspirations?
Falk: I just switched majors to drama. I plan on attending grad school and getting my MFA in technical direction and hopefully becoming a technical director (the guy who designs and builds sets).
Question: What has been your favorite class at UVA?
Falk: Drama 221. My TA, David Mims, is a close friend now and he inspired me to become a technical director. Until that class I really had no idea what I wanted to do. Because of him, I know.