Athlete of the Week Cal Arnold

Name: Cal Arnold

Age: 21

Hometown: Latham, NY

Major: English

Sport: Swimming

 

How long have you been competitively swimming/diving?

I’ve been competing every year consecutively for 12 years.

 

How did you get into the sport?

I was always in and around water as a kid, so my parents put me into the local club program. I started competing in 5th grade, and haven’t stopped since.

 

What made you want to join the team at SLU?

I was recruited by Coach Bob Clemmer as a senior in high school, among a couple of other schools. SLU spoke out to me the most because of the close team atmosphere and potential for growth throughout my tenure on the team.

 

What has been your favorite experience on the team so far?

My sophomore year, we were facing St. Michael’s College for our senior meet. It came down to the last relay, which I anchored and won.

 

What makes SLU’s swimming/diving team so unique?

We’re really close, and I have some of my best friends on the team. We not only get excited for just our own races, but equally excited for each others as well.

 

What is your competition/practice schedule like?

We have practice every afternoon, and also a morning practice every other day. On Saturdays we have dual meets during the regular season. We also have a mid-season invitational and an end of the year championship meet.

 

Do you have any pre-competition rituals?

I used to wear normal goggles that didn’t really look special. Now I wear these really cool reflective Arena Cobra goggles that (in my mind) intimidate the other swimmers that are against me. It makes me think that if I look cool, cool looking swimmers don’t lose.

 

What do you do to celebrate a win?

I occasionally pump the air, and shake the hands of the swimmers on either side of me.

 

Who would you say is your biggest fan?

Probably my father. He knows all of my times and splits, and knows when I have a good or bad swim and responds accordingly. But I’m so grateful to have so many people that support me throughout my career that it’s difficult to choose.