Story Links
Darren Ankosko and the Virginia swimming and diving teams open the 2008-09 season this weekend with away meets at South Carolina and Clemson. The Cavaliers will battle SEC power South Carolina at 2 p.m. Friday before taking on ACC foe Clemson at 11 a.m. Saturday. Ankosko recently sat down with VirginiaSports.com to chat about his love for swimming, looking back on his breakout season, recapping the Olympics and how he gets to class everyday.
Question: How old were you when you started swimming?
Ankosko: I was about six years old when my mother encouraged me to take a look into swimming. It was something that was never forced upon me but something I had always had an interest in. I had always wanted to take lessons and so my mother set them up for me and the rest is history.
Question: What do you love about the sport?
Ankosko: I love the competitive edge and the team atmosphere. Your swimming for a team, it’s not just about everyone doing everything for themselves.
Question: Why did you come to Virginia?
Ankosko: I had a good friend, Stefan Hirniak, who was a fourth-year when I was a first-year and I trained with him at home. He told me good things about the university and so I looked into it and realized it was a really good program. When I came for my visit I loved Coach Bernardino and I also really loved how close the team was.
Question: Last year was a breakout year for you. How did it feel for you to be a part of an ACC Championship team?
Ankosko: It was the single greatest moment of my life. Being apart of the free relay and winning by that much and breaking the record that we have been trying to break for years was amazing. Watching Stefan and those guys try to break the record for years and then being able to break it with two first-years (Matt McLean and Scot Robison), John Azar, and myself was crazy.
Question: Following ACCs you came down with mono. Was it disappointing not to be able to swim at NCAAs?
Ankosko: I followed the greatest moment of my life with one of the worst moments of my life. I had a letdown after the meet because I was not going to be able to swim at NCAAs. I was sick going into ACCs but was still able to swim. Right after that meet my body just crashed. I actually had to go home for two weeks and just relax until I got better.
Question: After coming off a successful season last year, what are the goals for this season?
Ankosko: Last year was a sort of a rebuilding year and we just wanted to get back the ACC title. This year we are looking to go top-10 at NCAAs. It’s not that we are looking past ACCs but are just looking to achieve something bigger this year. Another goal for me personally is to stay as healthy as possible.
Question: How did it feel to compete in the 400 free at Olympic Trials?
Ankosko: It was something that I always wanted but never really realized how attainable it was until I started training here. At that next level in college, everyone is swimming so fast that it became an expectation to make the Trials, not a goal. Training with these people and watching all these people go to Trials made me feel like there was no way I should not make it. Just being able to swim there was awesome and even before that getting the phone call from Coach Bernardino saying I made the cut. I still have the voicemail he left me on my phone. I had also never raced in an arena before and competing in front of 14,000 people was crazy.
Question: Did you watch the Olympics? What was your favorite part?
Ankosko: I did watch the Olympics, how could I not? My favorite part would have to be watching Phelps out-touch his opponent in the 100 fly or when Jason Lezak come back and win the 4×100 relay for the United States. As distance swimmers, we always pride ourselves on being able to have something at the end of the race, and that was inspiring to see.
Question: What is your favorite event to swim in?
Ankosko: My favorite event is the 500 free style because I train distance and I feel like I have a good amount of speed, so it balances out really well. I can take it out fast and hang on and bring it home fast. It is a nice mix of the training we do.
Question: What do you like to do for fun?
Ankosko: I have a lot of interests. I skate to class everyday on my long board. I also play guitar and surf when I can.
Question: What is your favorite band?
Ankosko: I am into Underworld Senses Fail. It is good pump up music.
Question: What is your major? Do you have any future career aspirations?
Ankosko: I am an English major and I am currently looking at going into medical sales because I have a few connections in that field. Plus, it is something that has always interested me. I definitely have aspirations to become an entrepreneur and start my own business one day.
Question: What has been your favorite class at UVa?
Ankosko: Econ 201 with Professor Ken Elzinga was my favorite because he was a great teacher and it was a really interesting class.
Question: What is your favorite spot on Grounds?
Ankosko: I think it would be a crime to say it wasn’t the Lawn. If I have time in between classes I will just sit down and chill out on the Lawn.