Sports Spotlight - Windermere Observer: Gabriel Vazquez

Gabriel Vazquez was one of 15 swimmers recently named a Scholastic All-Star by the SouthWest Stars’ Scholastic All-Stars Award program. The program is to encourage school and pool balance, said Head Coach Justin Correia. Vazquez received the award for obtaining his senior sectional time standards in addition to maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA at school. 

“He has done a great job and is one of our up and coming swimmers,” Correia said.

When you found out you got the Scholastic All-Star award, what was your reaction?

I was like, ‘Cool.’ I want to get good grades in school. I don’t want to be failing. I want to do good at swimming, so I go fast. There’s nothing more to it.

Why do you love swimming?

Definitely the people I swim with and wanting to get better. Being in the pool with my friends and racing against each other is fun.

What are your swimming goals for this year?

Get better times. There are a couple of meets I want to qualify for, so I definitely want to go for those qualifying times.

What are your swimming strengths during meets?

Definitely shorter distances. I consider myself pretty good at IMs. I’m trying to get better at some of the freestyle events.

Why did you decide to start swimming three years ago?

I wasn’t really my idea. I had finished gymnastics, and I didn’t know what to do. So my mom said, ‘I want you to do something. I want you to try swimming.’ So I tried it, and I started to really like it.

What was your best event when you did gymnastics?

Rings. It was fun.

How is 9th grade going so far?

The teachers treat you a lot more adult-ish than in middle school.

How did you survive Hurricane Irma?

I just played video games. We lost power Sunday night, so we stayed at someone’s house. But we got power back the next day.