Jesuit senior makes waves at Olympic trials

by Kim Roberts

By Kim Roberts
Clarion Herald

Jesuit High School senior swimmer Enzo Solitario qualified in the 100-meter butterfly for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials held in June at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, fulfilling part of a lifelong dream of competing against the nation’s top swimmers for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

Even though Solitario did not garner a spot in this year’s Olympics, he would not trade the experience for anything in the world.

“This was more of a ‘let me go to the trials, do my very best and just have fun with the experience,’” he said. “Because the goal this season was just to get to this point; it wasn’t necessarily about making the team or anything. We (his family and coaches) just wanted to go to the meet and have fun and enjoy ourselves and say that I did it.”

Dedication, hard work

Solitario’s push to qualify for the trials was a testament to his dedication to the sport. He tried to reach the trials’ qualifying standard time in the 100-meter butterfly, of 53.59 seconds and missed it the first two times he tried. But, at the Last Dash for Indy meet in Jacksonville, Florida, Solitario reached the elusive qualifying time, surpassing it with a personal best of 53.37 seconds.

“I had one last chance to get that time, and I just got it,” he said. “It was unbelievable, and we were super excited.”

Solitario said just under 100 swimmers qualified for the trials in his event, and he was honored to be one of those swimmers. He spent nine days at the trials and was able to get “the Olympic feel” while he was in Indiana.

“Just to be in the same pool as an Olympian was amazing,” he said. “I didn’t get to talk much to any of the swimmers who have been to the Olympics, but I would hop into a lane to warm up and one would be there warming up next to me. It was a great overall experience.”

He added that it is every swimmer’s dream to make an Olympic team at some point in his or her career.

“In four years, we’ll see where I go,” he said. “But, I’m really just going to take it step by step. I’m loving where I am right now, and I have my senior year and college to look forward to.”

En route to Wisconsin

Solitario, who has already set high school, metro and state swimming records, has also committed to continue his swimming career at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin-Madison after he graduates from Jesuit.

When asked what advice he would give to young swimmers just starting out in the sport, he said his best advice would be not to give up as long as it’s still fun being in the pool.

“I mean, if you’re not making the best times right now, but you’re still having fun, I would still hold on as long as you can,” Solitario said. “It can be a slow progression sometimes.”

Solitario, who started swimming when he was 7, has had the support of his parents, Billy and Nici Solitario, Nu Wave Swim Club coach Ross Hedrick and Jesuit coach Bret Hanemann, whom he credits for much of his success.

“I started swimming at the country club level and moved to year-round when I was around 9,” he said. “I stuck with it thanks to the support of my family and coaches, who have helped me every step of the way.”

“There are a few swimmers who I admire right now, like Chris Guiliano, who swims for Notre Dame,” he added. “He’s a slow progression-type of guy, who puts in the work and is a great role model. He made the Olympic team this year in freestyle.”

Guiliano was part of the U.S. relay team that won the gold medal in the 4-by-100-meter freestyle relay in Paris.

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