AUBURN, Ala. – The 2021-22 season is underway for Auburn swim and dive, and there are some new faces in the pool competing for the Tigers. Throughout the year, we will be introducing each of the newcomers with a Q&A
Next up in the series Adriel Sanes, a graduate transfer from the University of Denver who competed for the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Q: What made you want to finish your college career at Auburn?
Sanes: Knowing that the NCAA gave us another year of eligibility due to the pandemic, I decided to pursue a different path. Auburn reached out, and anyone I have ever talked to about Auburn loved it and had no complaints. They made it sound like a lovely place, and I am loving it.
Q: What was it like representing the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Tokyo Olympics?
Sanes: It was an honor and an amazing experience. It has been a goal of mine for many years, and to finally achieve it and even be the flagbearer was an absolute honor.
Q: How will swimming in the Olympics benefit your swimming this year?
Sanes: Seeing all the professional athletes from all over the world was an experience that I will carry with me. The Olympics also give you the knowledge of how to train better and take care of yourself better, and I will apply that to my training at Auburn.
Q: How has the Auburn S&D program helped you get used to living in a totally new place far from home?
Sanes: The team was welcoming before I even got to Auburn, which is great because I didn't even step foot in Auburn until mid-August for the first time. I don't feel like a stranger at all because of how welcoming the group is.
Q: What are you studying at Auburn?
Sanes: I am doing a masters in engineering management. I did my undergrad in mechanical engineering at the University of Denver.
Q: What are your career plans?
Sanes: I do plan to continue swimming even after my last year of eligibility. I definitely want to aim for the Paris 2024 Olympics, but other than that I am not really sure.
Q: Do you have any go-to music to listen to before a race?
Sanes: For sure. I definitely have Eminem on my playlist. One song I always listen to before my races is Danza Kuduro by Don Omar – it is definitely a hype song.
Q: What do you love most about Auburn?
Sanes: I would say how the community is more like a family. I see it at the football games and when people say, "War Eagle" and people say it back. Also on gamedays, the vibes on campus are amazing. It is amazing to see how everyone comes together and that is something I had never experienced in Denver.
Q: What advice would give to younger swimmers?
Sanes: I would say you've got to put in the work, and there is going to be a lot of sacrifices. I have been waking up early and practicing since a young age, so there are times when I have had to pass on hanging out with friends. It is a big commitment, so it takes sacrifices and a lot of work.
Q: What was your reaction to finding out you received an Olympic bid to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands?
Sanes: It was hard to put into words. I got the qualifying time to go to the Olympics at a time trial because I had missed the cut by 0.2 earlier in the meet. So, when I got it, we were all overwhelmed because it has always been a goal for me.
Q: What are your goals for this upcoming swim season?
Sanes: I believe it is my last year of eligibility so due to that I just want to 'full send it' and help the team be the best they can be. I also want to bring Auburn back to what it once was because back in the 2000s, Auburn just dominated the SEC. Personally, I don't think the school records in the 100 and 200 breaststroke are out of reach.
Q: What is your favorite show or movie?
Sanes: My favorite show is easily Brooklyn 99. It's the funniest show I've ever watched. For movie, I am a huge fan of the original Spiderman with Tobey Maguire.
Q: Out of every city you have ever swam in, what is your favorite location?
Sanes: Probably Budapest, Hungary. It was a beautiful city, especially the drive to and from the pool. There are just a lot of landmarks and sightseeing.
Q: What are the biggest differences between Denver and Auburn?
Sanes: With Auburn it kind of feels like its own island, and since I grew up in the Virgin Islands, I have always liked the feeling of everything being nearby. Denver is practically the opposite because it had a huge downtown with skyscrapers and arenas.
Q: What is your message to the Auburn family heading into this season?
Sanes: Be on the lookout for the swim & dive team with our new coaching staff. We have a hungry group. There will be big changes and fast results. We are ready.
