March 23, 2011
Geneseo swimmer Michelle Rodriguez seeks to add to glory
When Michelle Rodriguez stepped onto the SUNY Geneseo campus four years ago, she never thought she could swim on a national level.
She proved herself wrong.
Rodriguez, a 13-time All-American, is the most decorated female swimmer in Geneseo history. But it wasn't easy; it took hard work, dedication and a strong desire to succeed.
"I never thought I could push myself like I have," Rodriguez said. "My team was what kept me motivated. I love the feeling of completing a practice. And I was doing so well so seeing results definitely helped."
She never swam competitively all-year round like most of her teammates, but she's used it to her advantage. Her coach Paul Dotterweich attributes her success to consistency and motivation.
"As an athlete, she's probably the most consistent training athlete that I've ever had," coach Paul Dotterweich said. "I can count on two hands the number of workouts that she hasn't met my expectations over the course of four years, which is pretty exceptional."