Meet the Freshmen: Joe Ziegler
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 10, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Freshman Joe Ziegler wasted no time in getting his Alabama career started, coming to Tuscaloosa this summer from his native Tallahassee, Fla. to train for the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials.
At the trials, he competed in the 100, 200 and 400 freestyles as well as the 200 backstroke.
"The Olympic Trials meet has so much history and is probably the best meet ever swam besides the Olympics," Ziegler said. "One third of the events were the deepest events time wise in the history of swimming. It was a great experience swimming among the top athletes."
Ziegler, who swam for Julia Lawson at Leon High School and for Terry Maul at Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club, was a member of the 2006 to 2008 USA National Junior Team and USA FINA Youth World Championship Team. Ziegler was a member of the 800 freestyle relay that took gold at the 2008 Victorian Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
The atmosphere, coaching staff and student-athlete services center at The University of Alabama captured Ziegler on his recruiting trip last year and helped him make his decision to come to UA. And his decision to come in early helped in his transition to the Tide.
"It helped out coming up early this summer to get acclimated to college life," Ziegler said. "Swimming in college is a lot more fun than high school and the atmosphere is more competitive. Practices are more intense and specific. All of the sets we do are very specific and deal with technique."
The first meet of the season against Delta State was a great start to Ziegler's UA career. He took first place in the 1000 freestyle and the 200 backstroke.
"The meet was great," Ziegler said. "I finally got to walk on deck to a home crowd and it was awesome that we won at home. The spirit is great here and all of the athletics are awesome."
An avid film watcher, Ziegler, who enjoys listening to folk music and writing poetry and short plays, would one day like to write for television and/or films.
Players Mentioned
