Tomas Rodriguez’s favorite event to swim is either the 200-yard butterfly or the 400-yard freestyle. It all depends on which swimming “life” he is talking about.
That swimming career, both as a para-swimmer and as an able-bodied swimmer, has seen him go from Madrid, Spain, to Stuart, Florida, and eventually to Oswego. His swimming has brought him 5,710.5 miles, all to swim the 200-yard butterfly that takes him, on average, 2:25 to complete.
Rodriguez, now a freshman with the Oswego State men’s swimming and diving team, is a para-swimmer originally from Spain. While in Spain, Rodriguez was classified under the S14 paralympic classification, which is for those with an intellectual impairment. Once he came to the U.S., his classification was changed to S9 based on his brain injuries.
His brain injuries all stem from something he was born with, hydrocephalus, which is the buildup of fluid in the cavities deep within the brain. Rodriguez has had six brain surgeries due to his condition. A major change in his life was when he went into one of his brain surgeries as a 3-year-old.
“When I woke up, my mom realized I was blind because I was naming all my toys wrong, [because] each one was named after a family member of mine,” Rodriguez said. “It took me one year until I could see the speck of an airplane in the sky.”
Rodriguez and his parents, Javier and Rosanne, went to a neurosurgeon who repeatedly said that everything was OK. It was a family decision to change neurosurgeons, and the change of opinion helped the family realize Rodriguez had multiple fractures in his catheter. He had his last surgery in January 2013.
After the surgery, Rodriguez said he woke up crying because he could not feel the right side of his body, but slowly regained some basic human functions. In March of that year, he was diagnosed with hemiparesis due to the injuries on the left side of his brain.
All this has affected the way he trains for swimming both in the pool and in the weight room. While most swimmers with Oswego State have a strict weight program, head coach Michael Holman modified some exercises and practices to accommodate Rodriguez’s needs. Holman said Rodriguez does not use barbells or the dumbbells.
“We’re not really doing anything different from a training standpoint,” Holman said. “We just make adjustments for him as needed. The weight room was the biggest one. Swimming, sometimes we have to say, ‘OK, don’t do that.’ Or we’ll do it this way instead of that way.”
While swimming in Spain, Rodriguez made his name known. He was a 19-time national champion and broke over 16 Madrid records all in the S14 class. From 2014 to 2017, he was also the Spanish senior national record-holder in 200-short course meter individual medley for the SM-14 class. His resumé is impressive, but Rodriguez said all those recognitions are not the one he is most proud of. His favorite came in 2016.
“I became the first ever para-swimmer, age group or senior, to reach a national podium in able-bodied open waters swimming, claiming the bronze just five points off the silver,” Rodriguez said.
All the success and recognition in Spain ended when the joint family decision came to end his Spanish paralympic career after some controversy with his team not allowing him to swim according to certain licenses and regulations Rodriguez had obtained.
This eventually landed him in Stuart, Florida, at Jensen Beach High School. Rodriguez came to the school during the second semester of his junior year. He instantly made a connection with his assigned reading teacher, Corinne Dictor.
With all the state tests Florida mandates, Dictor said she was able to help Rodriguez get acclimated with high school in the U.S. However, while trying to connect with Rodriguez, Dictor found out they had one thing in common: swimming.
Rodriguez joined the swim team in high school, which is coached by Dictor. He was originally signed up to swim in the first two swim meets, but both were cancelled due to lightning storms, or as Rodriguez called it, “Florida stuff.” After that, he was informed by the athletic director he was no longer eligible to participate in meets due to his age, since he was 18 turning 19. Rodriguez was still allowed to practice with the team and travel to different swim meets.
Dictor said Rodriguez does not let anything stand in the way of his success with his supportive parents, innate ability of hard work and optimistic attitude.
“He didn’t swim in the meets, but he was here at every practice and a big part of our team,” Dictor said. “If you would say anything to him in terms of criticism or critiquing, he’d go, ‘OK, how was that?’ He’s just a great role model, really positive—a great, great kid to coach.”
With his mother Rosanne originally being from Dayton, Ohio, she already had a strong sense of college in the U.S. Dictor said she did not have to help Rodriguez too much with the college process. Rodriguez already had his heart set on Oswego State because of its broadcasting program and his brother, Daniel, being on the team.
Before he even stepped foot on the Lakers’ swim team, the other members of the team already knew Rodriguez because of Daniel. That was a strong stepping point for when Rodriguez was looking for college, especially since he wanted to swim.
Holman said Rodriguez probably would not have found Oswego State if it was not for Daniel. Between the spot he would have on the swim team and the academic programs, Rodriguez knew he would fit in on all levels at Oswego State.
Daniel has since transferred to Florida Southern College, a Div. II program in Lakeland, Florida. This did bring concerns for Holman, not knowing how Rodriguez would respond or what it would be like not having Daniel nearby for him. There were other worries such as needing a brain surgeon close by and being far from home. Stuart, Florida, is a 20-hour car ride from Oswego.
“His mom said it best to me that he’s got to live his life and do the things he wants to do and he’s not going to live at home forever. Even though he’s far away, he can handle himself,” Holman said. “I was a little concerned initially because I was nervous. I want to make sure he’s all right and everything. He knows how to handle himself.”
Not only is this entire experience new for Holman and the rest of the coaching staff, but it is also a completely new environment for the team. Holman said the team has been great about welcoming him and saying he is a part of the team, just like any other swimmer or diver.
Rodriguez said the team is now like a second family and that he is honored to be on the team. On Nov. 3, Rodriguez qualified for the SUNYAC championships in the 200-yard butterfly, and he said he knew his teammates fully supported him.
“Seeing my teammates cheer me on poolside was beyond impressive,” Rodriguez said. “I had tears in my eyes during the race, but I knew that they were counting on me, and that was very exciting.”
For both Dictor and Holman, when it all comes down to it, Rodriguez is just a swimmer who works hard every day, and not “the kid getting out to go to the bathroom five times during practice,” Dictor said. She also said Rodriguez is a big role model by the way he acts.
“I would qualify him as a real swimmer, just like I would qualify maybe a few of these people [at Oswego State] as a real swimmer, people that want to be there every day and work hard every day,” Holman said.
From Holman’s perspective, he is also able to see Rodriguez outside of the pool and see his true character as a person. Holman called him friendly with everyone and just an all-around good kid.
“He’s much funnier than his brother,” Holman said with a laugh.
While not swimming with the Lakers, Rodriguez also has his “second swimming career” to worry about, and that is the paralympics in the U.S. Most recently, he swam at the Fred Lamback Disability Meet in Augusta, Georgia. He said he had one of his best swimming performances while at the meet, including lifetime personal bests in six of the eight events he swam.
While being a para-swimmer, Rodriguez has noticed a lot, including how “down to earth” the American paralympians are, compared to those from Spain. However, a lot of the realizations have come from himself.
“It is truly incredible to see what some para-athletes are able to do with what they’ve got,” Rodriguez said. “I think life has given me a precious gift and a second opportunity to live to the fullest.”
Now, his goals turn to the U.S. Paralympics Para-Swimming Championships in Tucson, Arizona. Rodriguez said he wants to get a medal in the 400-yard freestyle while at the championships. His time is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation in that event.
“Sometimes it is hard because of the pressure that the media and other parties put on athletes, but in my case, I am lucky to have teammates I can turn to when I need their support in this regard,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes, keeping your head straight can be definitely tough, but looking at the horizon makes it very exciting. I can’t wait to see what Tucson holds for me.”
As his current coach, Holman is making sure to help him accomplish his goals, which include obtaining accomplishments outside of swimming for Oswego State. Rodriguez is at an advantage, however, even if he is not one of the 17 swimmers the Lakers can take to the SUNYACs at the end of the season in February.
“Lucky for him, he has these other meets that he has high expectations for,” Holman said. “Obviously, I want to help him.”
Rodriguez has set his own goals and expectations for both his career at Oswego State and also as a para-swimmer in the coming season, but he is still heavily focused on his academics. He is currently a nightly news reporter for WTOP-10, the student-run television station at Oswego State.
“In the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re Michael Phelps or if you’re Tomas Rodriguez,” Rodriguez said. “Swimming is a sport you can’t live off of, and a good education is what will get you through life.”
Photo by Ben Grieco | The Oswegonian
