Hokie ClubAJ Pouch
Henderson, Nev.
Breaststroke/IM
Senior
1. At what age did you start swimming? What motivated you to start?
AP: I was actually FORCED into swimming at 12 years old. The reason it was swim and not any other sport was because my twin sister, Rose Pouch, was on a club team, and my mom liked the work she was doing. After a couple of meets, I realized I really liked the sport and wanted to keep pursuing it.
2. Who inspired you as a young athlete?
AP: As I started my swimming career, the 2016 Rio Olympics were coming up, and the swimmer who I really wanted to be like was Kevin Cordes, an American record holder, 2x Olympian and gold medalist. I actually had the opportunity to race against him while I was in high school, and he came up to me in the ready room before our race in finals and told me good luck, and fist bumped me. After that moment, I knew I wanted to be like him, and our coach here, Sergio Lopez Miro, was his coach at one point! I knew I made the right choice in being a Hokie.
3. How has Virginia Tech developed you as a student-athlete to prepare you for this opportunity?
AP: Virginia Tech, this team, and this staff has helped me develop as a student-athlete by instilling the drive and the will to want this. Before I decided to be a Hokie, I told Sergio my goals in the pool, and I believed in him. I knew he would be behind me every step of the way, and then setting foot on campus and having amazing people like Danny White behind me as well only pushes me to want more and to do it as a Hokie.
4. If you were a kid and you saw where you are today, how would you react?
AP: Younger me would not believe where we are at. I would have never thought I would be a high-level international athlete who is in the top 20 in the world. We started from the bottom in Las Vegas to reach the top in the world!
5. Who are your biggest supporters?
AP: I know my mom says she's my biggest supporter, but I truly believe my twin sister Rose is my biggest supporter. She acts like she doesn't care, but if it weren't for her, I wouldn't even be in this sport. I don't know what I would do without her. She's the ONLY person I'd let cheer me on behind my lane.
6. What do you believe has been your biggest challenge towards your achievements?
AP: My biggest challenge towards my ultimate goal would be that the United States is the fastest country in the world, and trying to represent it or make any international team is extremely competitive. But I am also my own biggest critic, which makes even the small victories challenging.
7. What is the best part about competing?
AP: The adrenaline I get behind the blocks. I love the crowd cheering and then being so silent you can hear a pin drop before they start the race. Then being able to see my work in practice pay off or see results. But nothing beats competing with my brothers here at VT. There's no other group of guys I'd want to compete with.
8. What is something you do after a good performance? Do you have any traditions?
AP: I love being the center of attention, so after a good race or doing something major, I try to make a scene, so all eyes are on me. It varies every meet.
9. Describe your reaction when you first found out you were selected for the U.S. National Team.
AP: My jaw dropped. I was utterly speechless. I immediately told my coaches here, my coaches back home, and my family. I was so giddy I just had to keep moving. I slowly see my dreams come true, and I just want to keep the momentum going.
10. How will being a part of the US National Team help your future?
AP: Being a part of the U.S. National Team will help my future because, along with the support VT gives me in pursuing my goals, the additional help from USA Swimming in Colorado Springs, and the ability to use the U.S. Olympic training center whenever I please will benefit me in the long run and my dream to be an Olympian.