Gus Fulgoni ’15, from Kalamazoo, Mich., won three events at the Pioneer Classic on November 30 and December 1: the 50-yard freestyle and as a member of the 200 freestyle relay and the 200 medley relay , which earned him MWC Swimming and Diving Male Performer of the Week honors.

Congratulations on the Pioneer Classic, that was very impressive.

Thank you.

Were you expecting that sort of performance?

I was hoping for that sort of performance, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting to do that well. It was more a pleasant surprise that I did that well.

By how many milliseconds do you think your beard held you back?

I’d say about 10. That’s probably reasonable.

So when you shave it…?        

I’ll be a lot faster, fingers crossed.

What are you most looking forward to about the season?

I’m most looking forward to Conference because it’s going to be at home which will be really nice because I don’t have to go anywhere and there’s going to be crazy fast swims. It’s just going to be so much fun. Conference is going to be the highlight. And then all of the people are coming back from abroad, too, so they’re going to be a lot of fun to swim with.

Do you have any goals? Times, things to improve?

I want to go to Nationals. That’s the big one. So just get the national qualifying time.

My sister went here and we have a bit of a competitive streak between us. Since your brother swam too, do you find that coming up at all, do you guys motivate each other via competition?

Definitely. He has the record right now for the 50 [freestyle] and so I have to beat the record to beat Max [Fulgoni ’12]. It’s gonna happen eventually. I have to beat Max. It’s unquestionable. He’s not allowed to win.

Ever?

Ever. No. I can’t let him win, just because he’s my brother.

It’s unfair because he can’t ever come back.

Exactly! That’s the best part. Once it’s gone, he’s not coming back to beat me. You can get a record at alumni, but…

What are your favorite meals to eat before and after a meet?

We always get pasta after swim meets. They always give us pasta. And Casey’s pizza is pretty good. That’s a little greasier but the best part about Casey’s pizza is that people don’t go for the pizza they go for the rip-off thing: buy 10 Casey’s pizzas, get one free. So everyone goes and tries to rip off the things from all their Casey’s pizzas to try and get one for free and then people start eating the pizza. So that’s pretty amazing for afterwards. Before, I don’t eat a whole lot before because I don’t want to get sick. When it comes to food and swimming I can usually eat most anything and be fine, I just can’t have a super big meal.

I know the swim team goes to Florida. If you could bring the team anywhere else to train, where would it be?

Anywhere in the world? Damn. Probably some island in the Caribbean. I think that would be pretty cool. It definitely would have to be somewhere warm, we couldn’t go someplace cold. … An island in the Caribbean, I think that would be a lot of fun.

You run track as well. Do you have to do extra training in the spring to prepare?

My legs get a little sore in track, ’cause water’s so forgiving and that’s why you can train harder in the water than you can for track. So I kind of have to prepare, I’m not sure if it’s more of a mental or physical thing but I have to prepare my body to get rocked because it’s so much rougher on your joints and bones. But being in shape wise, I’m fine.

Have you declared a major yet?

Yes, I have. I’m a studio art major. I love studio art, it’s so much fun. People always hate on it but I don’t care. Haterz gonna hate.

What’s been your favorite class?

I’m in Painting right now and I think that’s been my favorite class so far just ’cause I have the best prof. I have Kaufman as a professor and we just goof around all the time and have so much fun. I’d say either Painting or Social Movements with Kesho Scott because she is crazy in the best possible way. She’s an awesome professor, I love Kesho.

Anything you want to tell the school? Come to swim meets? Cheer? Go Gus, beat Max?

Come to swim meets, cheer. And live long and prosper. Need to throw that Star Trek quote in there because they’re coming out with a new movie.

-compiled by Eliza-Eve Leas