West Virginia University Athletics

2018-19 (Sophomore)

• All-Big 12 Second Team
• Academic All-Big 12 First Team
• Big 12 Men’s Swimmer of the Week – 1/9/19
• Helped 200 and 400 medley relay teams to silver-medal, school-record performances at the Big 12 Championship
• Finished fifth in the 100 back at the Big 12 Championship in 49.02
• Also finished seventh in the 100 fly at the conference meet (49.02)
• Won the 100 back vs. TCU in 49.28; also finished fourth in the 200 back (1:52.60)
• Also tallied two relay wins against TCU with the 200 free and 400 medley teams
• Finished first in the 100 back (49.15) and third in the 200 back (1:50.50) at Pitt; also helped 400 free relay team to a first-place finish
• Swam in the A final of the 100 back at the Ohio State Invitational, finishing eighth in 49.17
• Also reached the C final in the 200 back, finishing 31st overall in 1:48.10
• A member of second-place 200 medley relay team and fourth-place 400 medley relay team at OSU
• Earned a pair of victories at Villanova – 100 back (49.81), 100 fly (50.35)
• Also helped win the 200 medley relay against the Wildcats
• Won three individual events against Seton Hall and Xavier, including 100 back (49.64), 200 back (1:51.56) and 100 fly (50.33)
• Also was a member of first-place 200 medley relay team against Seton Hall and Xavier
• Won 100 back and 200 back at West Virginia State Games in 49.88 and 1:51.92, respectively
• Also helped 200 and 400 medley relay teams to wins at WVSG
• Collected a pair of victories at Penn State in the 100 back (49.35) and 100 fly (50.18)
• Assisted in the 200 medley relay team’s second place finish at Penn State

2017-18 (Freshman)

• All-Big 12 First Team
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Helped 200 medley relay team to a silver medal and school-record time of 1:25.97 at Big 12 Championship
• Also a member of school-record setting 400 medley relay team at Big 12 Championship (3:09.78 – won silver medal)
• Won bronze medal in 100 back at conference meet, finishing in 47.89 (NCAA B-cut)
• Finished sixth in 100 fly at Big 12s, earning an NCAA B-qualifying time of 47.83
• Won consolation final of 200 back at Big 12s, touching the wall in 1:47.86
• Against Villanova, he enjoyed a pair of wins in the 100 back (49.26) and 100 fly (49.06)
• A member of the 200 medley relay team that broke the WVU Natatorium record against Pitt (1:29.94)
• Also placed third in the 200 back against the Panthers, logging a time of 1:51.35
• Registered three total wins, including two individual victories in the 100 back (50.85) and 100 fly (51.02); also helped 200 medley relay to a win
• Swam in D final of 200 back at the Ohio State Invitational, finishing 34th overall in 1:50.94
• Posted three victories at the Big 12 vs. Big East Weekend – 100 back (49.97), 200 back (1:50.86) and 100 fly (49.77)
• A member of first-place 200 and 400 medley relay teams at the West Virginia State Games
• Also finished second in the 100 back (51.66) and 200 back (1:54.96) at WVSG

High School

• Swam at Cave Spring High for coach Andy Hurray
• NISCA All-America selection
• Two-time Virginia 3A High School League champion – 100 fly, 100 back (swam both in state record times)
• Swam in NASA Junior National Cup and 2016 AT&T Winter Championships
• Helped Virginia Gators win 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay at ISCA Junior Championship Cup in 2017
• Second in 50 fly at ISCA Junior Championship Cup
• Second in 100 fly and 50 back at ISCA Jr. National Cup
• 2016 Timesland Boys Swimmer of the Year

Personal

• Son of Joseph and Lori Russo
• Has three brothers
• Birthday is May 12
• Majoring in finance
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll