Life as a Mountaineer – David Dixon
March 23, 2022 02:30 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - David Dixon's familiarity with West Virginia University really didn't matter when it came to choosing to compete for Vic Riggs' Mountaineer swimming and diving program.
It was the positive atmosphere and the team culture that really sold it for him.
"The main thing the made me come to WVU was the team," he explains. "I had a few trips to a few different schools and this one really stood out with the coaches and the culture that they have. My parents also graduated from WVU so that also helped a little bit, although I was never really pushed by them to come here.
"It kind of worked out that I fell in love with the location and the team, and that's why I came here," he adds.
Dixon and senior diver PJ Lenz have qualified for this year's NCAA men's swimming and diving championships this weekend at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Dixon will be competing in the 200 butterfly, the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. The Richmond, Virginia, native is a two-time Big 12 champion in the 200 fly, but he said his most memorable moment came during his freshman year when he placed second at Big 12's.
"I didn't win it, but I did very well, and I made NCAAs," he says. "I got out of the pool, and the whole team was there and was so excited for me. It didn't matter whether I won or lost, they were just happy to see me succeed and be in that position. That's something that stuck with me and something I think about often.
He says his recent victory in the 200 butterfly at the Mountaineer Aquatic Center at Mylan Park was also very memorable.
"It meant a lot, for sure, because it happened at our home pool," Dixon notes. "Once before I won it my junior year, but that was at Texas, and the last time we had it in Morgantown I got second place so standing up on the podium in second place I was like, 'Man, the next time I'm here I'm going to be standing in first-place podium.'
"I did and it felt really special."
Dixon is the only five-year NCAA qualifier in school history and admits his experiences at West Virginia University have exceeded his wildest imagination.
"I came here with some expectations of what it would be, but this just blew it all out of the water. Every day I've got to put on my West Virginia swimming and diving shirt and represent the school and the program the best that I can," he concludes.
Dixon's first event is the 200 individual medley prelims on Thursday. The 100 and 200 fly prelims are scheduled for Friday.
This week's Life as a Mountaineer was produced by Megan Crain and is presented by WVU Medicine.
It was the positive atmosphere and the team culture that really sold it for him.
"The main thing the made me come to WVU was the team," he explains. "I had a few trips to a few different schools and this one really stood out with the coaches and the culture that they have. My parents also graduated from WVU so that also helped a little bit, although I was never really pushed by them to come here.
"It kind of worked out that I fell in love with the location and the team, and that's why I came here," he adds.
Dixon and senior diver PJ Lenz have qualified for this year's NCAA men's swimming and diving championships this weekend at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Dixon will be competing in the 200 butterfly, the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. The Richmond, Virginia, native is a two-time Big 12 champion in the 200 fly, but he said his most memorable moment came during his freshman year when he placed second at Big 12's.
"I didn't win it, but I did very well, and I made NCAAs," he says. "I got out of the pool, and the whole team was there and was so excited for me. It didn't matter whether I won or lost, they were just happy to see me succeed and be in that position. That's something that stuck with me and something I think about often.
He says his recent victory in the 200 butterfly at the Mountaineer Aquatic Center at Mylan Park was also very memorable.
"It meant a lot, for sure, because it happened at our home pool," Dixon notes. "Once before I won it my junior year, but that was at Texas, and the last time we had it in Morgantown I got second place so standing up on the podium in second place I was like, 'Man, the next time I'm here I'm going to be standing in first-place podium.'
"I did and it felt really special."
Dixon is the only five-year NCAA qualifier in school history and admits his experiences at West Virginia University have exceeded his wildest imagination.
"I came here with some expectations of what it would be, but this just blew it all out of the water. Every day I've got to put on my West Virginia swimming and diving shirt and represent the school and the program the best that I can," he concludes.
Dixon's first event is the 200 individual medley prelims on Thursday. The 100 and 200 fly prelims are scheduled for Friday.
This week's Life as a Mountaineer was produced by Megan Crain and is presented by WVU Medicine.
Players Mentioned
Fly/Breast
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
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