Name: Robert Burke

Sport: Swimming

Age: 21

Hometown: Portsmouth, VA

Major: Creative Writing

How long have you been competitively swimming/diving? How did you get into the sport?

I’ve been swimming competitively since I was 8 or 9.  I got into the sport because I joined a summer league team to learn how to swim when I was 5.

What made you want to join the team at SLU?

Initially I was looking at SLU mainly for its academics, but after taking a recruiting trip I quickly realized that I felt the most comfortable here. The men’s and women’s teams were both extremely fun to be around and I just felt that if I came here I’d have a great experience—which I’ve had.

What has been your favorite experience on the team so far?

My best experience here was probably Sophomore year training with now SLU alum Gabriella Marchetti.  We were both the only two 400IMers so we had our own workouts which we’d combine with the distance group. They were by far the hardest practices of my four years here, but they were always enjoyable when I was swimming with Gabby because of her work ethic and sense of humor.    

What makes SLU’s swimming/diving team so unique?

I think the most unique aspect of our team is that we train coed.  Even our meets are together, so while it might say the women’s or the men’s team roster, when we’re practicing it really feels like we’re just one team.  And I think that’s a really unique aspect that not a lot of the other teams share with ours.

What is your competition/practice schedule like?

We have 9 practices a week.  5 afternoons, with 3 morning practices on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  As well as a Saturday morning practice if we don’t have a meet that day.

Do you have any pre-competition rituals?

I don’t necessarily have any pre-competition rituals, but I have a lot of pre-practice rituals.  I usually only listen to the same 1-2 songs before practice and will only change those songs when I feel I’m no longer swimming well.  During the practice season, I also typically always fuel up on chili before, which if you’ve swam in my lane with me, you’ll fully understand.

What do you do to celebrate a win?

I don’t really do anything to celebrate individual wins, other than perhaps texting my parents later—but as a team if both our men’s and women’s team win, we have a tradition of running out and ringing the bell.

Who would you say is your biggest fan?

My parents are my biggest fans. They can’t come to every meet because of how far away that I live, but they’re always there for anything that I’ve ever needed. Like before I had a license, they would always drive me to morning practice in high school, even though it was an hour away. On the team though, I’d probably say Cal Arnold because there’s nothing more inspiring than hearing “Let’s go big booty” when you step on the blocks.

Anything else you want to add?

I have two collie puppies named Mombo and Salsa, both of whom I’m going to be experiencing withdrawals from.