2019-20 Georgia Tech Everyday Champions Issue #3

SWIMMING & DIVING | CAIO’S TIME

going to make me swim fast that’s what I’m going to do.’” He believes that desire gives him an edge come race time. “Sometimes I just think, ‘They haven’t practiced as hard as I did. They haven’t put in as much effort as I did the whole season, in and out of the pool,’” he said. “So sometimes I look to my side and I say, ‘I’m not going to lose this race.’” He’ll take that confidence into the NCAA Championships, where he’ll try and bring home a championship, something not done by a Georgia Tech swimmer since 1927, when Dave Young won the 150 back. Pumputis badly wants to end that drought. “We don’t even have this event anymore,” said Pumputis, with a laugh. “It’s going to be hard, but getting there is another chance. It’s who wants it most and I’ll be ready for it.” At least one former Yellow Jackets’ great believes Pumputis can follow through. “I think he has what it takes to win a title,” said Gal Nevo, a three-time Olympian, and five-time All-American, who finished second in the 400 IM at both 2009 and 2010 NCAAs, and whose 200 IM school-record Pumputis passed and whose 400 IM record Pumputis has put in jeopardy. “I want to see him win. I think Caio is in a very good period and I hope he continues this momentum into summer meets, international summer meets, and do even better things.” He’s already shown he can compete on the international level, having competed at the 2017 Junior World Championships, breaking the South American record in the 100 medley (51.83) at the Brazil’s 2018 Jose Finkel Trophy tournament, finishing top 10 in the 200 meter medley and 100 medley at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships, and earning a silver in the men’s 200 meter and 11th in the men’s 200 meter breaststroke at the 2019 Pan Am Games, swimming through a severe groin injury. He also was part of Brazil’s men’s 200 IM at the ‘19 World Championships. He hopes to take the next step for Brazil at the country’s Olympic Trials at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center in Barra da Tijuca, April 20th-25th, then, hopefully the XXXII Olympic Games, July 25 through Aug. 6 in Tokyo, Japan.

(100- and 200- breast, 200 IM, 200- and 400 medley relay, 800 free relay) and 17 all-time top-10s in 12 different events. With the ACC and NCAA Championships still to be swam, he had 14 season-top-10s in nine events. Pumputis has plenty of motivation, starting with improving on last year’s NCAAs. “I want to be top-three in three events (100 IM, 100 breast, 200 breast),” he said. “A month later I have Olympic trials for Brazil, so I hope to qualify for the Olympics in three events, as well -- 100 breast, 200 breast and 200 IM. I’ve got on my mind that I have to practice more to achieve this goal.” He’s as much a competitor in practice as he is in meets. “He’s always trying to get to practice early to kind of stretch out and get ready to go,” said Hart. “He always stays after practice, whether that be to stretch or do pull-ups or even take an ice bath to help with his recovery. He is very mindful of what he needs to do outside of the water to help him be the best in the water.” “I always heard he was a great kid, and that’s exactly what he is,” said Rego. He’s always super-positive. He came to me one day, and said to me, ‘I don’t care if you ask me to put my hand through a wall. I will do it. If it’s

Pumputis chats with former star Tech swimmer Dick Bergmark, whose family has endowed the head coaching position for Georgia Tech swimming and diving.

BY THE NUMBERS 6 Number of events in which Pumputis holds Georgia Tech school records

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8   EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS | SPRING 2020