(Interview originally published in the Winter 2020 issue of ROAR Magazine)
Gabe Castano made his NCAA Championship debut in 2019, competing in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle events. A native of Monterrey, Mexico who moved with his family to Allentown when he was 11, Castano also competes for Mexico in international events. He set a national record this past April in the 50 freestyle at the Mexican Arena Grand Prix and earned a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru this past summer.
Why did you choose Penn State?
For me, I wanted to choose a school that had everything I was looking for as far as staying close to family and still having a high-level swimming program. For me, Penn State was by far the best choice.
What was it like for you when your family moved to the United States?
My dad is a mechanical engineer and the company he was working for at the time decided to give him a position in the Bethlehem office. It was a big decision. We left everyone behind and our life in Mexico and started a new life here. It was the best decision we ever made.
How did you transition from cycling to swimming?
I was a cyclist even when I lived in Mexico. I competed in national-level competitions and that was my main sport. I went out with my dad all the time riding my bike. When I came here the velodrome in Trexlertown was a big part of my life early on in the U.S. It was a big transition from cycling to swimming, but I think it was one of the best decisions I ever made because cycling has a limit to the activity you can do in college. I chose swimming and quickly picked it up. My mom was a swimmer in college too, so that helped. I had the genes for it.
What was it like competing for Mexico and winning a national championship?
It's a huge honor and it makes me very proud because my whole family in Mexico, I mean, I haven't seen them in a lot of years. They are still reaching out to me, congratulating me and they're very proud of me. That really means a lot to have their support and to be the best in the country in that event.
What is it about the sprint races you enjoy and why do you think you've been successful in them?
I think my best trait that helps me with sprints is my catch. I have long arms, so I catch a lot of water. My stroke is a lot slower tempo than normal and that way I can pull a lot more water in. In the 50 freestyle I sometimes take 10 less strokes than somebody next to me and still get the best time.
What is your favorite part of Penn State outside of swimming?
I would definitely say the people here. It's like a giant family of 40,000 people. My teammates are all my second family and I hang out with them pretty much all day, every day. That's a huge part of why I chose this place. When I came here, I noticed that everybody was so close and got along together. My high school was similar, so it was a pretty easy decision.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
My major is CAS (Communications Arts & Sciences) and I chose that because originally my minor is something I want to focus on. I have a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. My goal in the future is to open and start my own business.
