Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Swimming and diving head coach Sergio Lopez Miro announces the transfer of 2016 Olympian and 2018 SEC Male Freshman of the Year Hugo Gonzalez to Virginia Tech beginning with the 2018-19 season.
"Hugo is an exceptionally talented student-athlete," said Lopez Miro. "He will have an immediate impact on our team and the ACC. We welcome Hugo to Hokie Nation."
Gonzalez made a big impact for Auburn during his rookie campaign, earning gold at the SEC Championships in the 400yd IM (recording the fourth fastest time in history) and swimming to a pair of All-America Honorable Mention finishes at NCAAs, including 10th place in the 200yd IM. He set program records in the 200yd back (1:39.05), 200yd IM (1:40.67) and 400yd IM (3:35.76) and was a two-time CollegeSwimming.com SEC Swimmer of the Week. His accolades also include All-SEC First Team and All-SEC Freshman Team.
"I am very excited to continue my academic and athletic career at Virginia Tech," said Gonzalez. "I'm looking forward to the next three years and beyond as a Hokie. I appreciate the support from Coach Sergio and Coach Josh [Huger]."
In addition to his strong collegiate performance, Gonzalez has made a name on the international stage, including competing at the 2016 Olympics where he was a semifinalist in the 200m back as well as qualifying in the 100m back.
During the summer of 2017. The Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Spain native competed at the 2017 World Championships, representing his home country, claiming 23rd in the 100m back, 26th in the 200m IM and 32nd in the 200m back. He won gold at the World Junior Championships in the 100m back (54.27), 400m IM (4:14.65) and the 200m back (1:56.69), setting championship records in all three.
Gonzalez graduated from IES Ortega y Gasset in 2017. His club team won the Spanish Clubs Swimming Championships and he took gold in the 200m back at the 2015 World Junior Championships.
The incoming sophomore plans to major in engineering.