Checking In with Nick Albiero
April 29, 2020 | Swimming & Diving
The ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year is trying to stay fast in the water by training on land
Throughout the remainder of the 2020 spring semester, we will check in with the players on the University of Louisville swimming and diving team as they complete their semesters online. This week we check in with Nicolas Albiero. The junior from Louisville was named the ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Albiero was named the 2020 All-ACC Academic Swimming Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Albiero has a 3.952 GPA and majors in health & human performance in exercise science. The Cardinal swimmer was named an All-American in the 100 backstroke, 100 and 200 butterfly, 400 and 800 freestyle relays and the 400 medley relay, winning both fly events at the ACC Championships. He is a three-time All-ACC Academic honoree.
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Q: What did you have originally planned for this time and what are you doing now?
A: Our season wasn't over yet, so during spring break I was in Louisville training for NCAAs. We got the news about the NCAA cancellation on the Thursday of spring break so up until then I was in full training mode. Once the cancellation was official, the coaches and I decided it would be good for me to take a break before starting long course training for the summer. Since then, we have lost access to pools and weight rooms, so now I'm trying come up with other ways to stay sane, in shape, and stick to a routine.
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Q: How are you continuing to stay in shape during this time?
A: I actually had the stomach flu two weeks ago. Once I was healthy, it took about a week to get moving around again and doing exercises that didn't cause problems. This week I have added more exercises and will continue to build each week. I have re-introduced myself to running and have been running a few times a week as well as spending about an hour each day working on my core with different workout videos I find on YouTube. I just added jump roping into my routine and am constantly looking for more exercises to add and keep it fun.
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Q: What will you miss most about being on campus?
A: This quarantine has shown me that I will really miss my teammates and working hard every day with them when I graduate. I will miss eating meals with them and simply hanging around each other all day. I have the greatest teammates in the world, and I am definitely going to cherish them during my last year. I plan on staying in Louisville after graduation so I will still be around and cheer for the younger classes, but I'll miss my classmates so much once we go our separate ways.
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Q: Have you and your teammates been keeping in contact through all of this and how?
A: The men's team has actually had a few Zoom calls to catch up, talk about our current situations, and just make each other laugh and remind each other that we are in this together. My normal way of communication is through social media, so other than FaceTime and messaging, I've stay connected with my teammates via Snapchat and Instagram.
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Q: Is there anything you would like to say to Card Nation?
 A: I'd like to remind Card Nation that we are all in this together. From students to athletes to staff to fans, we've got this. No one could have planned for something like what we are facing and it's important to stay positive and focus on the things you can control. We will be back next season, and you should definitely keep an eye on the swim and dive team.
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Q: What is your favorite memory of this season?
A: This season was a crazy one for sure. I have so many memories and I would say training trip holds most of them. In terms of racing and competing, my favorite memory from this season was breaking a barrier I once thought was impossible, in the 200 butterfly.
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Q: What is your favorite memory as a Cardinal?Â
A: My favorite memory? Gosh... I have a lot, but swimming at the NCAAs Championships and having the opportunity to represent your university at the highest level is one of the most incredible experiences a swimmer can have, and that comes with so many fun memories. Although we were looking good for this year's NCAAs, the 2019 NCAA Championships has a special place in my heart. Not only did we become the best combined program in the nation, but the men's team recorded the highest finish in history at 5th place. For years, Louisville struggled to be in the top 10, in fact I watched it myself. I grew up watching and cheering for this program since the very beginning and just to be a part of the history we made as a team last year is a huge honor and I know we made the alumni proud.
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Q: Are you home or on campus? (Either way, what have you been doing? what have you binged watched, hobbies, etc.)
A: Currently, I am in my apartment next to campus but since my house is only 20 minutes away, I am able to go back and forth. I just finished Black Lightning on Netflix (I recommend it if you like superhero style shows) and now I'm watching the 4th season of Nailed It. It's just a feel-good show that makes me laugh and I feel like I need laughter more than ever right now.
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Q: How have people in your family been directly affected by the virus?
A: I am blessed to say that none of my family members have actually had the virus, but the cancellations and shutdowns have done some damage to the Albiero family. Obviously, the NCAA cancellations affected me and my dad pretty bad, and now that we can't train on campus, he has been working from home which is a huge change from his normal lifestyle. Similarly, both of my mom's businesses (Cardinal Aquatics and Safe Splash/Swim Labs) have been affected and I know it has been super hard on her as well. My brother had his wedding planned for April 4th and we are all super excited for that, but now it has been postponed to a later date and either way, it will be an amazing wedding. My sister is a senior in high school and all of the fun senior activities come towards the end of the year, so she was supposed to fly to California for a week with her school. She was disappointed when that got canceled and is now doing school online like me. All of that to say, we are all good and staying positive, just doing the best we can to be there for each other.
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Q: If you could say something to all the basketball players/swimmers/indoor track athletes who do not get a senior season back and missed their championship what would it be?
 A: I was so heartbroken when NCAAs officially canceled, but grateful I still had another year. To the seniors that didn't get that final meet or championship they worked so hard for, I just want to say that the University of Louisville is so proud of you and the hard work you put in does not go unnoticed. Not only have you impacted your respective programs, but the university as a whole. I could not imagine what it felt like, but I encourage you to find the silver lining, keep your head up, and take what you have learned and apply it wherever you go.
Â
Q: What are you doing with yourself during your free time?Â
A: Other than exercising and doing schoolwork, I have enjoyed catching up with friends and family, taking advantage of the nice weather, discovering new music, and playing video games. I also find myself cleaning when I am bored or procrastinating schoolwork, so you can imagine how spotless my room is right now.
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Q: What did you have originally planned for this time and what are you doing now?
A: Our season wasn't over yet, so during spring break I was in Louisville training for NCAAs. We got the news about the NCAA cancellation on the Thursday of spring break so up until then I was in full training mode. Once the cancellation was official, the coaches and I decided it would be good for me to take a break before starting long course training for the summer. Since then, we have lost access to pools and weight rooms, so now I'm trying come up with other ways to stay sane, in shape, and stick to a routine.
Â
Q: How are you continuing to stay in shape during this time?
A: I actually had the stomach flu two weeks ago. Once I was healthy, it took about a week to get moving around again and doing exercises that didn't cause problems. This week I have added more exercises and will continue to build each week. I have re-introduced myself to running and have been running a few times a week as well as spending about an hour each day working on my core with different workout videos I find on YouTube. I just added jump roping into my routine and am constantly looking for more exercises to add and keep it fun.
Â
Q: What will you miss most about being on campus?
A: This quarantine has shown me that I will really miss my teammates and working hard every day with them when I graduate. I will miss eating meals with them and simply hanging around each other all day. I have the greatest teammates in the world, and I am definitely going to cherish them during my last year. I plan on staying in Louisville after graduation so I will still be around and cheer for the younger classes, but I'll miss my classmates so much once we go our separate ways.
Â
Q: Have you and your teammates been keeping in contact through all of this and how?
A: The men's team has actually had a few Zoom calls to catch up, talk about our current situations, and just make each other laugh and remind each other that we are in this together. My normal way of communication is through social media, so other than FaceTime and messaging, I've stay connected with my teammates via Snapchat and Instagram.
Â
Q: Is there anything you would like to say to Card Nation?
 A: I'd like to remind Card Nation that we are all in this together. From students to athletes to staff to fans, we've got this. No one could have planned for something like what we are facing and it's important to stay positive and focus on the things you can control. We will be back next season, and you should definitely keep an eye on the swim and dive team.
Â
Q: What is your favorite memory of this season?
A: This season was a crazy one for sure. I have so many memories and I would say training trip holds most of them. In terms of racing and competing, my favorite memory from this season was breaking a barrier I once thought was impossible, in the 200 butterfly.
Â
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Cardinal?Â
A: My favorite memory? Gosh... I have a lot, but swimming at the NCAAs Championships and having the opportunity to represent your university at the highest level is one of the most incredible experiences a swimmer can have, and that comes with so many fun memories. Although we were looking good for this year's NCAAs, the 2019 NCAA Championships has a special place in my heart. Not only did we become the best combined program in the nation, but the men's team recorded the highest finish in history at 5th place. For years, Louisville struggled to be in the top 10, in fact I watched it myself. I grew up watching and cheering for this program since the very beginning and just to be a part of the history we made as a team last year is a huge honor and I know we made the alumni proud.
Â
Q: Are you home or on campus? (Either way, what have you been doing? what have you binged watched, hobbies, etc.)
A: Currently, I am in my apartment next to campus but since my house is only 20 minutes away, I am able to go back and forth. I just finished Black Lightning on Netflix (I recommend it if you like superhero style shows) and now I'm watching the 4th season of Nailed It. It's just a feel-good show that makes me laugh and I feel like I need laughter more than ever right now.
Â
Q: How have people in your family been directly affected by the virus?
A: I am blessed to say that none of my family members have actually had the virus, but the cancellations and shutdowns have done some damage to the Albiero family. Obviously, the NCAA cancellations affected me and my dad pretty bad, and now that we can't train on campus, he has been working from home which is a huge change from his normal lifestyle. Similarly, both of my mom's businesses (Cardinal Aquatics and Safe Splash/Swim Labs) have been affected and I know it has been super hard on her as well. My brother had his wedding planned for April 4th and we are all super excited for that, but now it has been postponed to a later date and either way, it will be an amazing wedding. My sister is a senior in high school and all of the fun senior activities come towards the end of the year, so she was supposed to fly to California for a week with her school. She was disappointed when that got canceled and is now doing school online like me. All of that to say, we are all good and staying positive, just doing the best we can to be there for each other.
Â
Q: If you could say something to all the basketball players/swimmers/indoor track athletes who do not get a senior season back and missed their championship what would it be?
 A: I was so heartbroken when NCAAs officially canceled, but grateful I still had another year. To the seniors that didn't get that final meet or championship they worked so hard for, I just want to say that the University of Louisville is so proud of you and the hard work you put in does not go unnoticed. Not only have you impacted your respective programs, but the university as a whole. I could not imagine what it felt like, but I encourage you to find the silver lining, keep your head up, and take what you have learned and apply it wherever you go.
Â
Q: What are you doing with yourself during your free time?Â
A: Other than exercising and doing schoolwork, I have enjoyed catching up with friends and family, taking advantage of the nice weather, discovering new music, and playing video games. I also find myself cleaning when I am bored or procrastinating schoolwork, so you can imagine how spotless my room is right now.
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Players Mentioned
Fly/Back
/ Swimming & DivingArthur Albiero Swim & Dive Press Conference 02.12.25
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NCAA Diving Zones - Zone C Day 3
Saturday, March 16
NCAA Diving Zones - Zone C Day 2
Friday, March 15
NCAA Diving Zones - Zone C Day 1
Thursday, March 14
