Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Drew Vanden Heuvel

Drew Vanden Heuvel is a Sarasota High grad and a boys swimmer with the Sailors as well as the Sarasota Tsunami club team. Vanden Heuvel committed to Old Dominion University on May 8.

When did you start competitive swimming?

I started doing summer league swimming when I was 6. My family just wanted me to try it. I got hooked on it. 

What is the appeal to you?

I love the team aspect of swimming. You swim with some of your best friends who you see every day at practice and you get better together and you grow and you have fun. 

What is your favorite event?

I love the 400 individual medley. It's also my best event. I like it because you cannot only be good at one thing, you have to be good at all the strokes. 

What is your favorite memory?

All of the state championships we won at Sarasota High were great, but my favorite was probably my junior year. We were not sure if we could win it again. We didn't know if we had enough people. But we were well-rounded enough to do it. That was a memorable one. 

Why did you commit to Old Dominion?

When I went on my visit up there in the winter, it just felt like I was home. It's a sports cliche to say a team feels like a family, but I do think I'll fit in well there. It will be good for me athletically and academically. 

What are your goals for the summer and next season?

I don't really set expectations for myself or keep times or anything. I just like to see me go fast. As for next season, I think a top-eight finish at our conference championship meet would be a good start as a freshman. 

What is your favorite food?

I'll go with Italian food. I don't know if I can get more specific that that. I like it all. 

What is your favorite movie?

I like "Ford v. Ferrari" a lot. 

What is your college major?

I plan on majoring in marketing. 

What are your hobbies?

I like to play golf and I like to go fishing. 

Which superpower would you pick?

I would want teleportation so I could go anywhere instantly.

What is the best advice you have received?

Listen to yourself and your body when it comes to what you need to do. When you do that and focus on what you can control, it helps with the external stuff you can't control.  

Finish this sentence: "Drew Vanden Heuvel is …"

Competitive and persistent.