Nov. 5, 2010

By Syed Muhammad

Ventosa is a four time district qualifier and two time state qualifier while at Hoover High School. He ranked in the top 20 in the state in three events as a senior and was named team captain by his teammates during his junior and senior seasons.

In the season opener against UIC at the WSU Natatorium, Ventosa competed in three events. Ventosa teamed with Sean Carroo, Hans Roser, and Chris Downing to place third in the 400 medley relay, finished fifth in the 50 free and fifth in the 100 free.

Head swimming coach Sion Brinn is excited to have Tony at WSU.

"He consistently has a smile; it's just fun to coach him," said Brinn. "He's the kind of guy you can have fun with. You have fun coaching him, because you can play jokes on him and he still laughs. He has a smile all the time"

Ventosa has some fond memories from his time at Hoover. He posted a video on YouTube during his senior year, where he describes of a time when a teammate who was so excited after winning an event that he jumped into the pool and disqualified the swim team from the meet.

Ventosa credits his father as well in the video, saying, "The most influential person in my life is my dad, because he supported my family and set a great example for me."