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Lee Robertson and the Virginia swimming and diving teams close out the home portion of their schedule this weekend with two meets at the Aquatic & Fitness Center. On Saturday, the Cavaliers welcome the 14th-ranked men’s and women’s teams from conference rival North Carolina. The men begin swimming at noon while the women will take to the pool at 3 p.m. and both sessions will be shown on ACC Select. Duke then comes to town for a dual meet on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. when the Virginia seniors will be honored. Robertson recently sat down with VirginiaSports.com to talk about his role as a captain, his career aspirations and what advice he gives to future Virginia swimmers.
Question: How would you describe the rivalry between Virginia and North Carolina?
Robertson: Mark (Bernardino) says that everybody needs to have a rival, and ours is Carolina. It’s been that way for a long time and it’s awesome. It’s so much fun being a part of a rivalry that has so much history and tradition. It’s especially important for us this year because we lost at their place last year.
Question: Are you happy with where you are at this point in the season?
Robertson: Absolutely. The first-year class really integrated well and quickly with the rest of the team and that’s important. People have been swimming out of their minds and that has been a lot of fun. Every meet there has been some awesome swims and we have a great invitational before the holidays. It has been a good year so far.
Question: What is your role as a captain and also being a senior this year?
Robertson: Regarding the first-years, I know all the fourth-years know how important it is to have them start clicking with the team, and each other, immediately. We are just trying to foster those guys in with the tradition of the program and everything Virginia swimming is about. They are probably not used to swimming for each other, for the team and for the program, coming out of high school. That is the most important job for all the fourth-years.
Question: How did you get started swimming?
Robertson: My mom swam for Mark. I started summer league when I was four; started to swim year-round when I was six. The rest is pretty much history.
Question: Does your mom give you any advice when it comes to swimming?
Robertson: I am very close with my mom. She coached me my last two years of high school. The swimming advice, not so much anymore. But we are very close.
Question: What was your path to UVa like? Did you always want to come here?
Robertson: I came to swim camp here seven times, every year from when I was nine to 15. One year I went twice. I always had a very close relationship with Mark. He was my first call my senior year. I went other places; I considered other places, but he was my first call and I wasn’t going anywhere else.
Question: What has been the favorite moment of your career thus far?
Robertson: Definitely last year winning ACCs. I don’t know if my favorite moment was winning the first relay, where we were seeded fifth and won. We knew we were going to swim fast and that moment was very special. But then the last relay, we wrapped it up, that was unbelievable for everybody.
Question: What do you love about swimming?
Robertson: The competition. I am a very competitive person but outside of the pool I am really low key. When you get in here and start racing, it’s a whole different world. I love racing.
Question: What are your career plans after the season?
Robertson: I graduated with a degree in foreign affairs over the summer and so I am doing a one-year master’s program in commerce. This is the first year of the one-year master’s program at McIntire and I’m really enjoying that. I’ll finish up that in late June and will spend three weeks in Beijing and three weeks in Hong Kong, which will be fun. I am probably going to work for a year and then go to law school. I would like to stay involved in sports somehow, either in administration or management, down the road.
Question: What has been your favorite class at UVa?
Robertson: History of the cultural revolution. It was a seminar with about 10 people on the history of east Asia. It was 50 percent participation and 50 percent was a paper at the end.
Question: What is your favorite spot on Grounds?
Robertson: The Lawn. It’s so clich but you can’t have any other favorite place. It has to be.
Question: What advice would you give to future UVa swimmers who follow you?
Robertson: Work hard. Team comes first always.
Question: What are you going to miss the most?
Robertson: Definitely the team. Like any first-year, when I came here I didn’t know what it was like to swim for 30 other guys and a program with tradition. It will be tough not being around 30 of your closest friends everyday.