Marina Spadoni
Marina Spadoni
QUICK STATS
- Birthday: December 7, 1993
- Height: 5’6”
- Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
- Club Team: Mission Viejo Nadadores
- College: Arizona State University
- Coaches: Bob Bowman and Bill Rose
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- 2015 NCAA qualifier
- ASU team captain 2015-2016
- Member of third place Pac-12 200 Free relay
- 2021 Olympic Trials qualifier
EXPERIENCE
As a former ESL teacher, Marina Spadoni understands that students have different learning styles and she applies this knowledge to coaching young swimmers. Not every drill or style of swimming is going to fit each athlete but she encourages clinic participants to swim outside their comfort zone and find what works for them. She says, “There’s no secret to being a great swimmer besides being comfortable being uncomfortable. Find your flow and go.”
Marina Spadoni shares with Fitter & Faster participants how she turned a perceived weakness into a strength. She relies on her underwater speed and strength to compete against elite female swimmers that are taller and have a higher arm speed. Marina says, “I remember watching the 2008 Olympics and it was really the first time, as a swimmer, that I had a lightbulb moment. Athletes were winning, and losing, races because of underwaters. I knew that this was my ticket into the next level of swimming.”
Marina believes that consistency and hard work can help any swimmer reach their goals. She encourages clinic participants to set personal goals and teaches them how to develop the skills to meet and exceed them. “Developing a skill takes time and patience and there was a period of time when I was dead last in every practice. Then, one day I was passing people I had never passed before and I was dropping insane amounts of time. I firmly believe that talent will only take an athlete so far. After that, putting in the time and consistency to develop habits is the key to success.”
Participant Feedback From Marina's Camps
“They were amazing! Marina and Glenn were great speakers and terrific at communicating the drills and the important focus points. They kept all of the 11 and unders engaged for the entire time. We will be cheering for Marina as she heads into 2020!” -Kirsten, from Oklahoma City, OK
“Chloe, Marina, and Glenn were fabulous! I was typing so quickly in my ‘notes’ on my phone and videoing everything I could! I loved everything and soaked it all in! The entire clinic was well done and extremely helpful and beneficial. My athletes talked about the clinic every day afterwards and all the way home” -Cyndi, from Lubbock, TX
“Marina’s story resonated with my daughter. Not everyone is going to have a medal, but you still give it your all. You are doing it for your “why”. And as my daughter said, ‘her story isn’t close to being over’!”
Marina was amazing! She engaged well with all of the kids, making adjustments as necessary. She provided so much useful information in her Q&A in addition to phenomenal drills during the clinic. I would sign up for another clinic with her in a heartbeat! – Jamie Teufel in Silver Spring, MD
