By John Brice
Special Contributor
FUKUOKA, Japan — For years, Chris Guiliano had envisioned a star turn as a Notre Dame athlete. It was among the most significant dreams and goals growing up for the Douglassville, Pennsylvania native.
But while Guiliano has, indeed, evolved into an international star for the Fighting Irish, he has not done so in the sport in which he envisioned.
“At our local summer pool, the coach was always trying to get me to join the swim team,” Guiliano said. “I always refused, but one day it was really hot out, and I was at my brother’s (Joseph) practice, and I was like, ‘I’m just going to hop in.’
“It worked out, but I had always dreamed of being the quarterback at Notre Dame. So, it’s a little different.”
Though Guiliano competed at a variety of sports growing up, it was a championship performance in his junior year of high school that forever altered his athletic course.
Now, Guiliano is a Team USA medal-winner and a viable upcoming Olympic contender.
“My junior year of high school, I won state in the 200 freestyle,” Guiliano said. “I was already in the recruiting process at that time, but that win really boosted my confidence. I knew then I could do something special.
“The recruiting process was tough; I don’t miss that at all. Talking to all these big schools was an incredible opportunity, but Notre Dame was always a dream school of mine. To get to talk to them and get to visit out there was special. As soon as I stepped on campus for my visit, I knew it was where I wanted to be. It was the end of January, so it wasn’t super nice, but I knew it was where I wanted to be.”
The rest, of course, is history – both already and continuing to be written. Already owning school-best marks in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events, Guiliano has re-written the Irish swimming record books. He also is just weeks removed from a silver and a bronze medal at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, and he’s already a 2024 Olympic Trials qualifier.
“First and foremost, this was the first time Chris had been out of the country in his entire life,” said Chris Lindauer, the Irish’s Peterson Family Head Swimming Coach. “To put that in perspective, let alone to travel for your country and represent Team USA, that’s our sport’s highest stage and is certainly special.
“With that comes a lot of growth, a lot of understanding, how to adjust to the time, and the logistics, the 13-hour flight. All of those little things, I think, add to his experience but also are very valuable in his growth and understanding his body, his needs and how he can adjust and learn to be at his best and perform at his best. It was extremely important for him to go through that experience because I think he learned a lot about himself.”
Though out of the country for 24 days in July, Guiliano has seized upon his experiences as foundational elements for continued career growth. With an admitted football-mindset to heighten his competitive drive when it’s time to swim, Guiliano also has gained an enhanced competitive drive from his summer experiences.
“It’s definitely been a motivating factor,” Guiliano said. “Going to these meets and going into Indianapolis (at the Phillips 66 National Championships), I knew I had a great shot of making the team. I was able to throw something together and do it. I think it’s a great opportunity to go international before the Olympic year.
“After this meet in Japan, I’ve never been more motivated to just get back and just start training all over again. I know what I have to do, I know what goals I have to set for myself, and I think our team is going to be able to push each other to a whole other level.”
Those team goals include striving for a top-two finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference race and eyeing a top-10 national finish. The team took fifth last year at ACCs and recorded a program-best 18th-place finish at NCAAs in March.
His coach sees in Guiliano a platform for personal growth and an experience that will pay personal and team dividends into the future.
“From the camp Chris had in Singapore the week before the meet to his actual meet, there are a lot things to learn about how to take care of yourself, manage what you need to do,” Lindauer said. “You have the world’s best swimmers around you, a lot of eyes everywhere, and it’s important to be with your feet and remember what you’re doing is what you believe in. You have to trust the process. Ultimately, it’s a phenomenal experience for him to learn and grow.
“Just to soak that all in and at the end of the day, ultimately, he got to stand on the podium and represent his country; get a couple of medals. We’re just extremely proud of him and can’t wait to see him continue to grow.”