Ross Dant
Ross Dant
QUICK STATS
- Birthdate: December 15, 2000
- Hometown: Hickory, NC
- Club Team: Hickory Foundation YMCA
- College: N.C. State University
- Coaches: Mark Bernadino, Dan Kallupski
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Represented the U.S. at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships
- NCAA All-American
- 2x Olympic Trials Qualifier
- ACC Champion
EXPERIENCE
Ross Dant has a special appreciation for Fitter & Faster Swim Clinics, as he was a participant himself and has fond memories of his experience. He says, “I went through a Fitter & Faster clinic as a kid and it was awesome! I got to meet two elite swimmers, learn about their experiences swimming on the world stage, and I even got to race them! It inspired me, and made me think that could be me someday.” Ross inspires clinic participants with his enthusiasm, strong work ethic, and success in distance swimming. Ross represented the U.S. at the 2023 World Championships, is a two-time Olympic Trials Qualifier, and Atlantic Coast Conference Champion.
Ross believes his job as a clinician is to instill a love for swimming in young athletes, while teaching proper technique and foundational skills. He says, “Swimming is a sport that requires a strong foundation to be successful. It’s good to get exposure to different coaching techniques; a swimmer might find something that works for them at a clinic that they don’t get from their club coach.” He aims to help young swimmers find what works for them, as he believes that once they do then everything else will fall in line.
A successful distance swimmer, Ross embraces the hard work and dedication that the sport requires. “I really enjoy the personal grind. I get a dopamine hit from working hard in practice, and challenging my body and my mind.” Ross emphasizes the importance of staying mentally engaged in both practice and in races, telling clinic participants that if they can stay mentally engaged in a two-hour practice then they will be well positioned to stay mentally engaged in a race. Ross says, “In a race, especially a long race, it’s essential to stay calm and focused. If you’ve established your race strategy in practice, it will come naturally in competition.”
