Swimmer from San Juan wins gold

When the COVID-19 pandemic closed the pools in San Juan, Puerto Rico, for six months, competitive swimmer Xavier Ruiz and his father set up homemade lane lines in a river so he could keep training.

That’s determination.

This summer, the Tar Heel sophomore swim team member earned Puerto Rico’s first gold medal at the Junior Pan American Games, setting a Junior Pan Am record in the 100-meter breaststroke. Ruiz said he was excited to represent Puerto Rico and set an example for young swimmers across Latin America.

“Even if you come from those countries and you have to practice alone or something, do whatever it takes to make it,” Ruiz said. “It’s worth it at the end.”

Path to UNC

Ruiz took his first swimming lesson at 4 and was 6 before he learned to swim. But once he got the hang of it, he never wanted to leave the water.

“I could be at the beach for a whole weekend,” Ruiz said. “No food, no anything, just at the beach. I just love being in the water.”

Swimming competitively but without a high school team, Ruiz built his own structure. His discipline caught the attention of Javier Sossa, the UNC associate head coach at the time, even though he wasn’t sure Ruiz was fast enough.

When Ruiz improved the next year, Sossa reached out, impressed by his speed and his story.

“For me, as a Latin American, I think it was knowing what he has done in Puerto Rico without all the resources that other kids might have here in the U.S.,” Sossa said.

Ruiz immediately felt a connection to the program. After his third visit to Chapel Hill, he canceled his trips to other schools.

Settling into his team

Ruiz had to adjust to the Tar Heel team environment. “When you come here, you need to do everything as a group and as a team,” Ruiz said. “That had a big impact on me.”

Head coach Mark Gangloff said that the shift pushed Ruiz to thrive and helped the team.

“He wants to beat everybody in practice, which is great and perfect for the other people in the pool, because no one wants to lose,” Gangloff said. “So ultimately, he’s there elevating our training environment.”

Ruiz’s competitive nature stood out to his suitemate Adam Maraana, an international student from Israel. “He’s just a racer,” said Maraana. “He doesn’t care if it’s not his stroke, if it’s his weak event. No matter what it is, he just goes. He’s all in for what he’s doing.”

The two bonded over adjusting to culture and life at Carolina, helped by Ruiz’s sense of humor.

“Having someone like that just making you laugh at the hard moments or who tells you to focus when you have to, it’s just a gift,” Maraana said. “I wish I had that ability to just be all fluffy and giggle before my race, and then just in one single moment be like the best swimmer on Earth.

Making history for his country

When Ruiz brought home the gold for Puerto Rico, his success brought joy and pride to his parents, his hometown and other swimmers.

“We don’t get the chance to see too many Hispanic swimmers coming to college swimming in the NCAA, so I always tell the kids to give it a chance,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz continues to train with the same determination that brought him to Carolina.

“I want him to be able to represent Puerto Rico in the Olympics,” Gangloff said. “Ultimately, that’s the pinnacle of our sport.”