Denis O’Connor is a senior on the Iona College men’s swimming and diving team. He is from Rockaway Beach, N.Y.

1. How did you get involved with competitive swimming and how old were you?

I started swimming competitively for my CYO team when I was six. I grew up right on the beach so swimming was always a part of my life. I initially joined the team because my cousins were on it and my parents just thought it would be good for me to become a stronger swimmer.

2. What are your personal goals for your senior year swim season? Team goals?

My personal goals for the season are to go best times in my three events and MAACs. As a team, we had a really disappointing season last year so we are hoping to come back strong and be competitive in our conference.

3.What has been your biggest challenge while on the swim team?

Like any student-athlete a major challenge is to manage my time effectively between practice and schoolwork. Aside from that I think the biggest challenge has been the changing coaching staff we’ve seen over my four years.

4. What was your most embarrassing moment at a meet or practice?

My most embarrassing moment was definitely when I was forced to swim the 200 breast at the last minute at a meet. I never do that event and my coach put me in it for some reason. I was horrible, but my coach put me in it again the next week.

5. What is your favorite memory while being on the Iona swim team?

My favorite memory is my freshman year when we went to San Juan for training trip. It was my first time there and I just remember the entire team staring out the plane windows looking out at the ocean. It was actually paradise.