Redshirt sophomore Jan Switkowski has claimed three wins in his first two meets at UF. (Tim Casey/UAA)
No Sweat for Switkowski in Transition to UF
Thursday, January 28, 2016 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Share:
By: Taryn Bray, Intern
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Standing at six feet and four inches, armed with broad shoulders, a lean torso and muscular legs, sophomore swimmer Jan Switkowski has the perfect build to be a great swimmer.
He appears well on his way.
Athletics have always come easy to the Polish native, who played soccer, basketball and handball in addition to swimming at a young age. But Switkowski always knew swimming was his passion.
"I'm a big fan of sports. I always tried to branch out," he said. "But my ultimate goal was always to be a swimmer."
He was coached by his father so the sport runs through his veins and based on the results, the pool is the place Switkowski belongs. His specialties lay in middle-distance events: fly, freestyle and sometimes sprints or relays.
"He's very versatile," Gators head coach Gregg Troy said. "He's got a good attitude, a good swimming IQ and he loves to race."
Prior to his career at Florida, Switkowski spent his freshman year swimming at Virginia Tech for the 2013-14 season but decided after the season that he no longer wanted to compete there.
One thing that impressed Troy the most about Switkowski was the stellar recommendation he received from the Virginia Tech head coach after he decided to transfer, which Troy said speaks volumes about an athlete.
Once Switkowski decided Virginia Tech was not where he wanted to be, he took a year off and trained in Poland before heading back to the states to continue his collegiate career with the Gators. Jan Switkowski won the 200 fly and 400 free against FSU recently. (Tim Casey/UAA)
"I needed to focus on swimming more and I thought it was the right thing to do," he said. "I came here with a fresh mind."
On a new team in a new state, it seems Switkowski has transitioned flawlessly as the Gators prepare for Saturday's meet at Tennessee.
His teammates have nothing but praise for the redshirt sophomore.
"He's funny, so it was easy for him to fit in," senior teammate Corey Main said. "His unique personality and his ability to make everyone laugh has mellowed everyone down."
Switkowski agrees that the transition was easy and that he's lucky he didn't experience many difficulties in changing his course.
Having a fellow Polish native on the team, senior Pawel Werner, certainly made it easier for Switkowski to make the move.
They were friends before Switkowski came to Florida so once he arrived, he felt right at home. They are able to speak in their native tongue to one another which Switkowski appreciates so far from home.
"He's transitioned great and there was a comfort level here for him knowing other guys before he came," Troy said.
This season may be the sophomore's first at Florida, but he has already made a splash.
In two meets in January against Auburn and Florida State, Switkowski won a combined three events. He picked up the win in the 200 fly against Auburn as well as the 200 fly and 400 free against FSU.
With the postseason not far away, the Gators can use all they can get from Switkowski to compete for a national title.
"We need him to swim well from a team perspective for the team to be successful," Troy said.
Added Main: "What he's doing right now and what we're doing will put us in good standing in the NCAAs."
With the SEC Championships in February and the NCAA Championships not far behind in March, for Switkowski, the end is not as close as for some of his teammates.
He plans to compete for Poland in the 2016 Olympics in Rio later this summer so his training goes beyond the collegiate season.
"Everything that we've seen from him until this point would indicate that he should be a finalist at the Olympics, and if you're a finalist then you've got the chance to do something," said Troy. "He's very focused, his training habits and technique are good."
After the UF season concludes, Switkowski will go back to Poland to train and compete in the Olympic trials where his personal bests this year are already faster than the required times.
An Olympic medal may be the long-term goal, but for now, Switkowski is focused on doing whatever he can to help the Gators win big.
"I want to help my time win the SEC Championships and the NCAAs," he said. "I'll swim whatever the coaches want me to swim."
