Q & A With Junior Jake DiPiazza
12/9/2006 7:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
Dec. 7, 2006
Junior Jake DiPiazza (Silver Spring, Md.) entered the 2006-07 season coming off of a strong finish at the 2006 ACCs. He set career-best times at last season's ACC Championships in the 50-yard freestyle (21.24), 100 free (46.47) and 100 butterfly (51.51). DiPiazza has seen success so far this season, opening with a third-place finish in the 100 free against Johns Hopkins. He was also the anchor for the sixth-place 200 free relay team at the 2006 Terrapin Cup Invitational. Most recently, DiPiazza led the Terrapins in the 100 free against West Virginia with a second-place finish. DiPiazza answers questions on his time at Maryland, the current season and his personal interests.
Q: Who is your greatest role model?
DiPiazza: My entire family.
Q: What is something you do before every meet?
DiPiazza: Get a good night sleep and drink a Sobe Adrenaline Rush.
Q: What is something interesting about yourself that most people do not know?
DiPiazza: I can play the piano, drums, guitar, and (barely) the trumpet.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show?
DiPiazza: Nip Tuck.
Q: What would you say is your role on the team this season as a junior?
DiPiazza: To be an example for the incoming freshmen and get everyone excited for each other to swim fast.
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
DiPiazza: To score top 16 at ACCs, and get as many people as possible to score.
Q: What is been your favorite class you have taken at Maryland?
DiPiazza: Anth220 (Intro to Biological Anthropology); it was pretty interesting.
Q: What is the best thing about being a student athlete in college?
DiPiazza: I'd say having pride that you represent the University and the close friendships you make on the team.
Q: Have you ever played any other sports?
DiPiazza: I played soccer, cross country, and baseball in high school...GO WCA Baseball, MISAL Champions '03 and '04!
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
DiPiazza: I love to listen to music; it's on almost all the time in my room and I love audio equipment.
Q: What type of music do you listen to?
DiPiazza: I listen to almost anything: rock, lounge, hip-hop.
Q: What is the biggest difference you notice between club and college swimming?
DiPiazza: It's a completely different level. Coaches bring so much more to the table and practice is much more intense. Also being a part of the team is more important.
Q: If you weren't swimming, what would you most likely be doing with your time?
DiPiazza: Probably sleeping a lot more and playing club sports.
Q: What has been your greatest athletic thrill?
DiPiazza: Setting the 200-meter medley relay record at Franklin Knolls Pool, and the ACC Championship meet last year.
Q: With experience at the college level, what is your advice to the freshmen and incoming freshmen for next year about swimming in college?
DiPiazza: Stick it out. It may seem like a pain at first but the rewards come at the end of the year.
