Wolverine Athlete Spotlight: Vinny Tafuto
1/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
Jan. 8, 2015
Sophomore sprint freestyler/butterflier Vinny Tafuto is the subject of this week's Wolverine Athlete Spotlight. The Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, native talks about the team's annual training trip and looks ahead to the second half of the season, beginning with Saturday's (Jan. 10) tri-meet against Northwestern and Notre Dame.
Q: How was the training trip?
A: We had a great time. We also put in a lot of good work that I think is really going to help us for the end of the season.
Q: What was your favorite part?
A: There were a lot of fun times, but eating at Doc's after morning practice with the guys. That's pretty high up there.
Q: Take us through a normal day. What did you do on this training trip?
A: Typical days start anywhere between 6-8 a.m. to lift. After that, we had a power circuit or swim-out at one of the pool for an hour or two. After that, we grabbed breakfast at Doc's, come back to the hotel to get a nap in before it's time to leave for the afternoon practice, which could be anywhere from 2-8 p.m.
Q: And for the New Year?
A: On New Year's Eve, we all went out on boats and watched fireworks. Both teams mingled. That was very fun.
Q: Now you've left the warm temperatures of Florida behind for the frigid ones of Michigan, but you don't really waste any time jumping right back into competition. How excited is the team to be racing for the first time in a month?
A: It's been a while since we've raced. Our last meet was in Greensboro for Winter Nationals. I know a lot of guys are pretty excited to race against another team. It might not be a particularly fast meet, but I think it'll be a good opportunity for everyone to practice what we've been working on.
Q: Like what? What sorts of things are you working on ahead of this upcoming championships season?
A: A lot of things that the whole team has been working on. Personally, it's my entry into the water with my hands, my turns, dropping my hips on those and snapping the wall at the right time.
Q: How important are those little things?
A: Especially in these short races, they're critical. Mike [Bottom] and Mark [Hill] are always talking about the details -- get your hand on the wall, pop your turn, rip your start. Those are all important aspects of the short races. Those are things, obviously, that we're really going to have to make sure we do this weekend.
Q: You're heading into your second postseason. What was the most important thing you learned having gone through the experience last season as a freshman?
A: There were definitely a lot of things, but the most important one was making sure you know what you're doing. You need to make sure you have time to study, eat and fulfill all your requirements so you can come to practice with a good attitude.
Q: You went to NCAAs and actually swam last year as a relay alternate. Hoping to make it back this year, but in a different sense?
A: I'd love to make it individually and swim on the relays again, but it all depends. I'm going to do whatever is best for the team. There's a lot of talent in our freshmen class and a lot of guys are stepping up. I'm just going to try to be wherever the team needs me.
Q: Lastly, the sprint group is pretty strong. What's that dynamic like every day in training?
A: You know, it's really good. When I came here last year, I saw right away that nobody screws around. People come here with the intention of working hard and scoring points for Michigan. Guys like Bruno Ortiz and Jeremy Raisky, there's no messing around with them. They come and they put up a fight every day and make everyone else around them better. It's a good situation.
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