George Washington University Athletics
Buff & Blue Forever Presented by Capgemini: Moritz Fath
5/15/2020 12:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, My GW: Celebrating our Stories
Swimmer leaves legacy of all-around success
Back in February, seven new additions – five golds and two silvers – joined the pile of Atlantic 10 medals on the bookcase in Moritz Fath's dorm room.
The impressive collection earned over four trips to the conference championship meet remained largely untouched until a few weeks ago when the GW senior began the process of packing for his upcoming move back to his native Germany.
That's when Fath decided the medals wouldn't make the transatlantic trip home. Instead, the two-time A-10 Most Outstanding Performer went through the gleaming stack one-by-one – from his first gold in the 500 free as a newcomer in 2017 to his last one in the meet-closing 400 free relay at his February finale – to decide who should have each of them.
Over his final days in Foggy Bottom, Fath penned handwritten notes to accompany the medals and slipped them into envelopes for delivery to coaches and teammates who have helped him along the way.
"It was pretty emotional but a lot of fun," Fath said. "To be honest, it made me consider not giving them away in case I ever want to relive that again, but that would've been selfish.
"I have the memories of all those medals. Hopefully, they can spread some joy, inspiration, motivation to other people."
The gesture speaks to an extraordinary legacy at GW: Fath staked his claim as one of the top swimmers in A-10 history by earning 15 gold, three silver and two bronze medals to help the Colonials win their first three team titles in program history. He graduates holding seven program records, including a pair of individual conference marks, after representing the Buff and Blue on the national and international stages, while his efforts in the classroom have been rewarded with three CSCAA Scholar All-America and two A-10 All-Academic honors.
Beyond those accolades, Fath raised the level of the program with his day-to-day commitment to excellence and his genuine care for everyone on the pool deck.
"What he's meant to us – and specifically me as I've transitioned to GW – can't be understated," said GW head coach Brian Thomas, who just completed his second season leading the Colonials. "The relationships Moritz has formed with myself, his teammates and my family is why we coach."
The oldest of three sons in an accomplished swimming family, Fath arrived at GW for the spring semester in 2017 with all the tools necessary for a historic career.
Yet, there's little doubt that his coaches and teammates helped Fath unlock another level of greatness. In Germany, swimming is often run more akin to an individual sport, but he bought into the benefits of team spirit and found a family far from home.
"It's one of the best decisions I've ever made," Fath said. "I took a little bit of a risk, but it totally paid off."
Three years ago, a rollercoaster debut helped reveal the power of team support right away.
Fath ended his first A-10 race sitting in tears on the bulkhead at the SPIRE Institute. Swimming the anchor leg of the 800 free relay, he surged from the middle of the pack to seemingly take silver before being disqualified for an early start.
Fath spent the rest of a miserable night being consoled by his teammates back at the hotel and apologizing to anyone who would listen. The newcomer wondered if he'd spoiled GW's title dreams on the opening day of the meet.
By the next evening, Fath was locked in and ready to fight to the finish to win the 500 free in program-record time. His gleeful teammates practically pulled him out of the water and carried him to the podium to accept his first gold medal, a swim that would eventually help the Colonials land on top of the team standings for the first time.
"I was ecstatic, happy, relieved." said Fath, who was named Most Outstanding Rookie Performer. "I think it's one of the best swims I've had because no one was expecting that. Maybe someone was, but I definitely wasn't expecting it."
Fath set the bar high and never stopped working hard to clear it.
The swimmer's daily enthusiasm and intensity in practice stood out in a physically and mentally demanding sport, relying on an uncommon blend of physical gifts and textbook technique to separate himself from the pack.
Thomas chuckles remembering a particular winter training session last year that perfectly illustrated what made Fath different.
After a taxing long-course practice, the Colonials were dragging as they prepared for a dry-land workout. Except for Fath. He found a soccer ball and was whizzing around the turf field with energy to spare.
"He's just one of those swimmers that pulls people along with him," Thomas said. "He makes the people around him better simply by being himself. It's been a lot of fun to see."
Naturally introverted, Fath grew into a vocal leadership role within the program, as well. As an upperclassman, he made a point to share his knowledge whenever he could. He leaned on a checklist via the GW Athletics Leadership Academy that he kept on his bedside table for a constant reminder of his job as captain.
"I tried to do at least some of those things every day," said Fath, who honed his leadership as a senior participating in the first-year LEAPP program. "I think that helped. Improving one relationship with one teammate every day or checking in with someone just to talk or telling someone they did a good job. Just little things can make a big difference."
Time and again, Fath's drive to succeed paid off in the season's most important moments.
As a sophomore, he totaled five medals, including his first gold in the 1,650 free, to help GW earn another team title. Then, he earned three more podium finishes as part of the Colonials' runner-up finish at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship.
Fath put together his best showing at the A-10 Championships as a junior when he won six golds on the way to being named Most Outstanding Performer for the first time as the Buff and Blue secured their three-peat.
He started off the week with a blistering opening leg on GW's A-10 record-breaking 800 free relay with his 200 free split of 1:35.47, also a new conference mark. He also snapped an A-10 record in the 500 free with a winning time of 4:19.21. His gold-medal swim in the 1,650 free (15:18.37) remains a program record, as well.
"Everything just went according to plan," Fath said. "The whole year I had these numbers in my head and on paper – what I wanted to go, what splits I wanted for every 50. You see those numbers every day, and to have it actually pay off at the end by seeing those same numbers on the board when you touch the wall, that's even better than winning a gold medal."
In his final trip to the A-10 meet, Fath found a new mountain to climb in taking on the 100 free. On the last day of the meet, GW's strength in the 1,650 free provided the opportunity to pick up a few much-needed points elsewhere in a tight team race.
Ultimately, Thomas left the decision up to Fath, who'd shown his sprinting speed in relays but knew he'd have little margin for error.
Fath opted for the 100 free over the mile and proceeded to edge teammate Tyler Kawakami at the finish by three hundredths of a second. When it was over, the pair shared an emphatic high-five across the lane line in celebration of two fantastic swims.
"To be completely honest, I was not surprised whatsoever that he won the race," Thomas said. "Even when he wasn't leading at the 50 and I don't think he was leading at the 75, either, I just kind of knew he was going to win. That's the kind of racer he is. I knew he was fired up for it."
Throughout his final meet in Buff and Blue, Fath made it his mission to enjoy every moment. He had fun while earning gold in the 100 free, 200 free, 500 free and 800 free and 400 free relays, plus silver in the 200 medley and 400 medley relays.
The Colonials battled down to the final race before falling short of a fourth straight team title. The energy on the pool from start to finish allowed Fath to walk away with his head held high.
"It was just a great team effort," said Fath, who became just the fifth male swimmer in A-10 history to win the conference's top award multiple times. "The support we had for each other and the attitude that we carried all the way through was amazing. Everyone pulled in the same direction. There was no negative talk. We always believed that we still had a chance."
After so much team and individual success, it's no wonder Fath's recent trip down memory lane proved so emotional.
Fath did his best to pair each medal with a recipient in a meaningful way. His first A-10 gold went to former coach James Winchester, and he gave Thomas his 400 medley relay gold from 2019 because the coach showed confidence in him with a wealth of options for that spot.
The majority of them will go to the people who were alongside him in Smith Center Pool every day, grinding to collectively push the program forward. As he gets set to head back to his home country to seek a pro career with an eye on Olympic qualifying, those are memories he will cherish.
"I just tried to enjoy every part of it," said Fath, who will begin a tryout with ONEFlow Aquatics in Neckarsulm, Germany next month. "Not just standing on the podium – the whole journey, as well. Enjoying being with your teammates. Enjoying traveling. I was always happy being around my teammates, whether that was in practice, in lifts, on the bus, and if I leave anything behind, I hope that everyone enjoys it as much as me."
The impressive collection earned over four trips to the conference championship meet remained largely untouched until a few weeks ago when the GW senior began the process of packing for his upcoming move back to his native Germany.
That's when Fath decided the medals wouldn't make the transatlantic trip home. Instead, the two-time A-10 Most Outstanding Performer went through the gleaming stack one-by-one – from his first gold in the 500 free as a newcomer in 2017 to his last one in the meet-closing 400 free relay at his February finale – to decide who should have each of them.
Over his final days in Foggy Bottom, Fath penned handwritten notes to accompany the medals and slipped them into envelopes for delivery to coaches and teammates who have helped him along the way.
"It was pretty emotional but a lot of fun," Fath said. "To be honest, it made me consider not giving them away in case I ever want to relive that again, but that would've been selfish.
"I have the memories of all those medals. Hopefully, they can spread some joy, inspiration, motivation to other people."
The gesture speaks to an extraordinary legacy at GW: Fath staked his claim as one of the top swimmers in A-10 history by earning 15 gold, three silver and two bronze medals to help the Colonials win their first three team titles in program history. He graduates holding seven program records, including a pair of individual conference marks, after representing the Buff and Blue on the national and international stages, while his efforts in the classroom have been rewarded with three CSCAA Scholar All-America and two A-10 All-Academic honors.
Beyond those accolades, Fath raised the level of the program with his day-to-day commitment to excellence and his genuine care for everyone on the pool deck.
"What he's meant to us – and specifically me as I've transitioned to GW – can't be understated," said GW head coach Brian Thomas, who just completed his second season leading the Colonials. "The relationships Moritz has formed with myself, his teammates and my family is why we coach."
The oldest of three sons in an accomplished swimming family, Fath arrived at GW for the spring semester in 2017 with all the tools necessary for a historic career.
Yet, there's little doubt that his coaches and teammates helped Fath unlock another level of greatness. In Germany, swimming is often run more akin to an individual sport, but he bought into the benefits of team spirit and found a family far from home.
"It's one of the best decisions I've ever made," Fath said. "I took a little bit of a risk, but it totally paid off."
Three years ago, a rollercoaster debut helped reveal the power of team support right away.
Fath ended his first A-10 race sitting in tears on the bulkhead at the SPIRE Institute. Swimming the anchor leg of the 800 free relay, he surged from the middle of the pack to seemingly take silver before being disqualified for an early start.
Fath spent the rest of a miserable night being consoled by his teammates back at the hotel and apologizing to anyone who would listen. The newcomer wondered if he'd spoiled GW's title dreams on the opening day of the meet.
By the next evening, Fath was locked in and ready to fight to the finish to win the 500 free in program-record time. His gleeful teammates practically pulled him out of the water and carried him to the podium to accept his first gold medal, a swim that would eventually help the Colonials land on top of the team standings for the first time.
"I was ecstatic, happy, relieved." said Fath, who was named Most Outstanding Rookie Performer. "I think it's one of the best swims I've had because no one was expecting that. Maybe someone was, but I definitely wasn't expecting it."
Fath set the bar high and never stopped working hard to clear it.
The swimmer's daily enthusiasm and intensity in practice stood out in a physically and mentally demanding sport, relying on an uncommon blend of physical gifts and textbook technique to separate himself from the pack.
Thomas chuckles remembering a particular winter training session last year that perfectly illustrated what made Fath different.
After a taxing long-course practice, the Colonials were dragging as they prepared for a dry-land workout. Except for Fath. He found a soccer ball and was whizzing around the turf field with energy to spare.
"He's just one of those swimmers that pulls people along with him," Thomas said. "He makes the people around him better simply by being himself. It's been a lot of fun to see."
Naturally introverted, Fath grew into a vocal leadership role within the program, as well. As an upperclassman, he made a point to share his knowledge whenever he could. He leaned on a checklist via the GW Athletics Leadership Academy that he kept on his bedside table for a constant reminder of his job as captain.
"I tried to do at least some of those things every day," said Fath, who honed his leadership as a senior participating in the first-year LEAPP program. "I think that helped. Improving one relationship with one teammate every day or checking in with someone just to talk or telling someone they did a good job. Just little things can make a big difference."
Time and again, Fath's drive to succeed paid off in the season's most important moments.
As a sophomore, he totaled five medals, including his first gold in the 1,650 free, to help GW earn another team title. Then, he earned three more podium finishes as part of the Colonials' runner-up finish at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship.
Fath put together his best showing at the A-10 Championships as a junior when he won six golds on the way to being named Most Outstanding Performer for the first time as the Buff and Blue secured their three-peat.
He started off the week with a blistering opening leg on GW's A-10 record-breaking 800 free relay with his 200 free split of 1:35.47, also a new conference mark. He also snapped an A-10 record in the 500 free with a winning time of 4:19.21. His gold-medal swim in the 1,650 free (15:18.37) remains a program record, as well.
"Everything just went according to plan," Fath said. "The whole year I had these numbers in my head and on paper – what I wanted to go, what splits I wanted for every 50. You see those numbers every day, and to have it actually pay off at the end by seeing those same numbers on the board when you touch the wall, that's even better than winning a gold medal."
In his final trip to the A-10 meet, Fath found a new mountain to climb in taking on the 100 free. On the last day of the meet, GW's strength in the 1,650 free provided the opportunity to pick up a few much-needed points elsewhere in a tight team race.
Ultimately, Thomas left the decision up to Fath, who'd shown his sprinting speed in relays but knew he'd have little margin for error.
Fath opted for the 100 free over the mile and proceeded to edge teammate Tyler Kawakami at the finish by three hundredths of a second. When it was over, the pair shared an emphatic high-five across the lane line in celebration of two fantastic swims.
"To be completely honest, I was not surprised whatsoever that he won the race," Thomas said. "Even when he wasn't leading at the 50 and I don't think he was leading at the 75, either, I just kind of knew he was going to win. That's the kind of racer he is. I knew he was fired up for it."
Throughout his final meet in Buff and Blue, Fath made it his mission to enjoy every moment. He had fun while earning gold in the 100 free, 200 free, 500 free and 800 free and 400 free relays, plus silver in the 200 medley and 400 medley relays.
The Colonials battled down to the final race before falling short of a fourth straight team title. The energy on the pool from start to finish allowed Fath to walk away with his head held high.
"It was just a great team effort," said Fath, who became just the fifth male swimmer in A-10 history to win the conference's top award multiple times. "The support we had for each other and the attitude that we carried all the way through was amazing. Everyone pulled in the same direction. There was no negative talk. We always believed that we still had a chance."
After so much team and individual success, it's no wonder Fath's recent trip down memory lane proved so emotional.
Fath did his best to pair each medal with a recipient in a meaningful way. His first A-10 gold went to former coach James Winchester, and he gave Thomas his 400 medley relay gold from 2019 because the coach showed confidence in him with a wealth of options for that spot.
The majority of them will go to the people who were alongside him in Smith Center Pool every day, grinding to collectively push the program forward. As he gets set to head back to his home country to seek a pro career with an eye on Olympic qualifying, those are memories he will cherish.
"I just tried to enjoy every part of it," said Fath, who will begin a tryout with ONEFlow Aquatics in Neckarsulm, Germany next month. "Not just standing on the podium – the whole journey, as well. Enjoying being with your teammates. Enjoying traveling. I was always happy being around my teammates, whether that was in practice, in lifts, on the bus, and if I leave anything behind, I hope that everyone enjoys it as much as me."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
Monday, June 22
Monday, June 15
Thursday, May 21
Thursday, May 21