Junior translates hard work to success
One of the qualities Rutgers women’s swimming & diving head coach Phil Spiniello looks for in his athletes is the determination to get better. In his second year at the helm of the program, he sees that in junior captain Taylor Curado.
“Taylor has a drive within her to get better,” Spiniello said. “That comes out in the weight room, pool, and in dry land sessions. She has a real determination to get better at this sport.”
Since his arrival last year, Spiniello believes that Curado is one of the most improved swimmers on the team.
“I showed up at the beginning of her sophomore year and over the last year and a half she has made some significant improvements,” Spiniello said. “She’s not only a great swimmer but a hard worker and tries to push herself on a daily basis.”
Curado also understands in order for her to get better in the pool, she must continue to work hard, something the young swimmer embraces.
“I enjoy improving and helping others improve,” Curado said. “I like knowing that I’m working towards something that other people around me are working towards because that motivates me to want to get better.”
That drive resulted in success for both the team and Curado. The Knights boast a 7-2 record and hold a 4-0 record in conference competition. The junior most recently captured the 100-yard butterfly event against James Madison on Friday and performed well in the freestyle events this season.
With the Big East Championships fast approaching, Curado’s achievements in both the freestyle and butterfly races has her optimistic about how well she can perform once her team travels to Pittsburgh in February.
“Going into [the Big East Championships] I’m as confident in my freestyle as I am in butterfly to know that I have a very good chance of placing well,” Curado said. “As a team I definitely think we have the ability to place top three at the event. “
The constant improving and dedication in the sport is one of the main reasons racing competitively in the pool appealed to Curado. The Highlands, Col., native enjoys working hard alongside her teammates in order for the program to succeed as a whole.
“Even though it’s an individual sport you still have to train with other people,” Curado said. “The only way you get better is by improving alongside others. It’s good to have people around you that want the same success.”
Curado has Spiniello excited that the young swimmer still has a year left of eligibly to display the hard work it takes to be a successful swimmer.
“It’s exciting to know that I have someone who truly buys into what I’m doing with this program for a whole other year,” Spiniello said. “Her passion to make the program better is pretty cool to see and she’s a team player. She wants this team to get better just as much as she wants herself to get better.”
If there is one thing that Curado can take out of her experience as a Knight, it is the fact that her hard work and dedication have made her excel both as a swimmer and leader.
