“SPIRE helped me become independent and taught and encouraged me to work hard to achieve my goals. My favorite part of being a SPIRE student athlete was the family environment. I was treated like a part of a big family, and felt very taken care of” – Fausto Huerta

Hometown: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Passion: Swimming

At the 2019 International Swimming Federation World Championship Games in South Korea, Huerta went stroke-for-stroke with some of the best swimmers on the planet – but he still to this day believes he is better at baseball than at swimming.

The trip to Korea was a valuable one for Huerta, who placed 50th in the 200-individual medley (2:13:64) and 63rd in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.65). From the pre-meet training to arriving in a foreign land, Huerta says he felt he was a part of something special. Getting the chance to represent the Dominican Republic at the meet only added to his sense of pride.

“Being able to represent my home country on one of the biggest stages out there feels amazing,” Huerta said. “It makes me feel that all the hard work pays off every time.”

Huerta earned his way onto the Dominican National Team in April 2019, when he finished second in the 100 breast at the 2019 Dominican Swimming Federation (FEDONA) National Swimming Championship in Santo Domingo. He previously competed for his homeland at the 2018 Caribbean Games and the 2017 FINA World Junior Championships, meaning his trip to Worlds only added to his growing list of international accomplishments.

After graduating from SPIRE under SPIRE Director of Swimming (and WVU alumnus) Thad Schultz,  Fausto’s success during his freshman year at West Virginia University included:

• All-Big 12 Second Team

• Dominican Republic National Team Qualifier

• Swam at the 2019 International Swimming Federation World Championship Games in Gwangju, Republic of Korea

• Took 11th overall in his consolation-final swim in the 200 IM, fourth (53.79) in the 100 breast and sixth (2:00.67) in the 200 breast at the Big 12 Championship

• Finished in third place in the 100 breast (56.10) against TCU

• Finished in second place (56.92) in the 100 breast and 27th overall in the 200 breast (2:04.48) at the Ohio State Invitational

• Swam in the 100 breast B final and finished 15th overall with a 55.64 at the OSU

• Made his collegiate debut in the 200 breast (2:10.71) at the West Virginia State Games

“Fausto left SPIRE with a great mix of talent and experience,” Coach Schultz said. “He exemplifies what being top caliber swimmer is about with strong character, desire to do well, academics and athletic ability.“

“The Olympic Games are my ultimate goal,” said Huerta. “The best advice I’ve ever received came from Thad Schultz, my coach at SPIRE. He told me “You can beat anyone; you just have to believe in yourself.”

“SPIRE helped me become independent and taught and encouraged me to work hard to achieve my goals. My favorite part of being a SPIRE student athlete was the family environment. I was treated like a part of a big family, and felt very taken care of,” added Huerta.

Fausto’s hero is his dad. Fausto is one of our heroes and we look forward to watching him continue to find his peak performance in swimming and in life!