George Washington University Athletics
Aspougalis Claims Gold at Greek Nationals
8/13/2020 2:30:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Rising sophomore won the 50 breast in personal-best time
GW swimmer George Aspougalis claimed a pair of individual medals, including gold in the 50m breaststroke, at the Greek National Championships last week.
After an unusual summer of training due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Aspougalis raced to a personal-best time of 27.82 seconds in the long-course pool to take the top spot in the 50m breast. The rising sophomore from Serres, Greece, also landed silver in the 100m breast in 1:02.39.
It was Aspougalis' first time competing in the men's division of the national competition after a decorated junior career, and he became the first man from his club GS Iraklis to win gold at the meet.
"It is a big accomplishment," Aspougalis said. "The gold medal will give me more strength and readiness to continue aiming high."
Back home amid the pandemic, Aspougalis was able to return to training in May, but he wasn't sure what to expect coming into his first competition since his impressive debut representing GW at the A-10 Championships where he collected four medals, including a pair of individual golds, highlighted by a conference-record swim in the 200-yard breast (1:56.28).
"I was excited to finally have a meet because I wanted to see what I have done these past two months," Aspougalis said. "It was definitely an unusual summer because there were many new rules that we had to follow for our health. I was surprised that I was able to swim fast, although my times in practices were fast."
Aspougalis flashed familiar form during the hybrid meet, which was split between two locations. Competing in the northern region at Poseidon Swimming Pool in Thessaloniki, he was able to celebrate his gold upon finding out his winning time had edged the first-place finisher in the southern race in Athens by one hundredth of a second.
GW head coach Brian Thomas said he was impressed but hardly surprised to see Aspougalis shine in his return to racing.
"George usually steps up when the lights are on, so I wasn't shocked to see him swim well," Thomas said. "The layoff in March and April probably hurt the back end of his 100 breast just a bit, but the first 75 was a thing of beauty, especially the way he dictated the race against the rest of the field.
"I think that gave him the confidence to go out and take the 50. I think we're just skimming the surface with George. His future is very, very bright."
Aspougalis' performance offered a satisfying conclusion to a summer unlike any other as well as confidence moving forward, both for continuing his career with the Buff and Blue and with an eye on potentially qualifying for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.
"This summer, I learned new things like how to react in new circumstances both outside and inside the water," Aspougalis said. "Everything from now on will be different, so we have to adapt and be flexible in the new circumstances."
After an unusual summer of training due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Aspougalis raced to a personal-best time of 27.82 seconds in the long-course pool to take the top spot in the 50m breast. The rising sophomore from Serres, Greece, also landed silver in the 100m breast in 1:02.39.
It was Aspougalis' first time competing in the men's division of the national competition after a decorated junior career, and he became the first man from his club GS Iraklis to win gold at the meet.
"It is a big accomplishment," Aspougalis said. "The gold medal will give me more strength and readiness to continue aiming high."
Back home amid the pandemic, Aspougalis was able to return to training in May, but he wasn't sure what to expect coming into his first competition since his impressive debut representing GW at the A-10 Championships where he collected four medals, including a pair of individual golds, highlighted by a conference-record swim in the 200-yard breast (1:56.28).
"I was excited to finally have a meet because I wanted to see what I have done these past two months," Aspougalis said. "It was definitely an unusual summer because there were many new rules that we had to follow for our health. I was surprised that I was able to swim fast, although my times in practices were fast."
Aspougalis flashed familiar form during the hybrid meet, which was split between two locations. Competing in the northern region at Poseidon Swimming Pool in Thessaloniki, he was able to celebrate his gold upon finding out his winning time had edged the first-place finisher in the southern race in Athens by one hundredth of a second.
GW head coach Brian Thomas said he was impressed but hardly surprised to see Aspougalis shine in his return to racing.
"George usually steps up when the lights are on, so I wasn't shocked to see him swim well," Thomas said. "The layoff in March and April probably hurt the back end of his 100 breast just a bit, but the first 75 was a thing of beauty, especially the way he dictated the race against the rest of the field.
"I think that gave him the confidence to go out and take the 50. I think we're just skimming the surface with George. His future is very, very bright."
Aspougalis' performance offered a satisfying conclusion to a summer unlike any other as well as confidence moving forward, both for continuing his career with the Buff and Blue and with an eye on potentially qualifying for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics.
"This summer, I learned new things like how to react in new circumstances both outside and inside the water," Aspougalis said. "Everything from now on will be different, so we have to adapt and be flexible in the new circumstances."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Swimming and Diving
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