Santo Condorelli

Biography

In his debut international season in 2015, Santo Condorelli enjoyed standout performances at both the Pan Am Games and the FINA World Championships. He won both the 100m freestyle and 100m butterfly at his first Canadian trials, becoming the first Canadian since Olympic bronze medallist Brent Hayden to go under the 49-second mark. Condorelli went on to be one of Canada’s most decorated athletes at Toronto 2015 with four medals, including silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 100m butterfly. In leading off the silver medal-winning 4x100m freestyle relay, he lowered his personal best in 100m freestyle to 47.98. At the world championships immediately after, he finished fourth in the 100m freestyle, missing the podium by just 0.07 but notably defeating Olympic champion Nathan Adrian. He was also the fastest leadoff swimmer in the 4x100m freestyle relay as Canada finished eighth. Condorelli competed at the 2013 U.S. Junior Nationals where he broke the American age group (17-18) record in the 50m freestyle and finished second in the 100m freestyle and third in the 100m butterfly, but declined a spot on the world junior championship team because it would have permanently tied him to the U.S. program. Instead he contacted Swimming Canada to express interest in competing for his mother’s home country. Condorelli had also competed at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials as well as the 2014 U.S. Summer Nationals.

Getting to know…

Family: Parents Joseph Condorelli and Tonya Van Walleghem… Born in Japan where his mother taught English and his father opened a restaurant … Grew up in Portland, Oregon where his mom finished law school… His mother’s family is from Kenora, Ontario… Getting into the Sport: Began swimming at age 5 when his dad threw him in the water and started coaching… Outside Interests: School on hiatus after completing sophomore year at the University of Southern California, focusing on business… Moved in with Coach Stickles’ family to get away from college distractions to focus on swimming… When home with family, volunteers with a local “Meals on Wheels” program… Enjoys building remote control cars when he gets bored… Odds and Ends: Biggest inspiration has been his father… Close friends with Russian swimmer Vladimir Morozov and Singaporean swimmer Joseph Schooling… Always signals to his parents from the pool deck with his middle finger and splashes himself twice with pool water…