Jan. 6, 2016
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech swimming & diving team has added Brazilian backstroker Rodrigo Quadros Correia, who is eligible to compete this spring.
“Rodrigo’s international experience will help the men’s program as we continue to move up the team ranks nationally,” said head coach Courtney Shealy Hart upon his signing in November. “We are happy to have a swimmer of his caliber in our program.”
The Belo Horizonte native speaks fluent English, but mentioned that other adjustments are required.
“For me, the biggest difference is the food. It’s not a big thing, but for me it’s kind of difficult to adjust,” said Correia. “But there’s no problem, I just need time to adapt and it will all be fine.”
Correia believes that his motivation and training set him apart as a swimmer, and his goal is to make the ACC finals and compete in the NCAA Championships. Academically, he expects to do very well despite the different style of curriculum compared to that of his home country.
He made a point to mention the campus when asked about what he liked about Georgia Tech.
“It’s beautiful. It’s completely different from Brazil.”
For the second time in program history, Georgia Tech and the McAuley Aquatic Center will serve as the host site for the 2016 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships. The Women’s Championships will be held March 16-19, followed by the Men’s Championships March 23-26. Georgia Tech previously hosted the 2007 NCAA Championships and the CRC was also the site of the 1996 Summer Olympics swimming and diving competitions.
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