The City University of New York Athletic Conference along with the Hospital for Special Surgery announced Vladislav Romanov as the Scholar Athlete of the Month for December. The Dolphins' swimmer not only had a record breaking performances in December but also made multiple NCAA Division III National Championship cut times.
The two time CUNYAC Swimmer of the Week made his first NCAA B cut time in the 200 yard medley relay in the ECAC Division III Open Championships. Ramonov along with teammates Timur Rakihimov, Yury Zimarev and Danila Novikov finished in first place with a time of 1:32.77. He also set a new school and ECAC record with his time in the 100 yard backstroke (51.02) another NCAA A cut time and first place win at the event. Ramonov also set his personal best time of 1:35.85 in the 200 IM placing him third and another NCAA B cut. In his heat in the 400 Medley Relay, Romanov's individual time of 49.58 set a new ECAC record. The Dolphins' finished that event in first place with a time of 3:23.73, another NCAA B cut. Other event's Ramonov swam in were the 200 yard backstroke which he touched the wall first at 1:49.97 and the 200 freestyle relay clocking in at 1:27.73, a third place finish.
In the Dolphins’ second meet in December against conference opponent Brooklyn College, Romanov had first place victories in all his events. The 200 yard medley relay was completed in a time of 1:53.36. He also posted a time of 10:33.66 in the 1000 yard freestyle and a time of 55.95 in the 100 yard backstroke.
Out of the pool, the senior also excels as he maintains a 3.67 GPA in his business management major. He is striving to become an an entrepreneur one day by creating and running his own business. Romanov plans to intern for Apple Inc. this summer and spends some of his downtime volunteering as tutoring for his peers in his department.
“I want to start off getting experience in the business field,” says the Russian born swimmer, “Hopefully I’ll start with Apple and continue in with marketing research and management in different organizations.” Romanov later wants to take his experience further, “Once I get more knowledgeable I’d like to open my own business.”
The CUNYAC MVP of Meet in 2008-09 and CUNYAC Rookie of the Year can't seem to stay away from the pool however, as he also lifeguards and teaches swim lessons at the college. Romanov also has his sights set for the 2016 Olympics swimming team and thoughts of training for it.
“It would take lots and lots of time to combine work and practice so if I decide to do it I would most likely move to Florida or California to focus on it.”
“I feel honored to get this award for the second time it shows that people acknowledge all the time I put into both my academics and swimming,” stated the humble Romanov. “I’ve had such a great experience both academically and athletically. It’s been challenging but interesting and exciting all at the same time. I’m positive the skills that I have obtained over the years in both swimming and classes are going to help me in the future.”