Reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, Hugo Gonzalez is not listed on Virginia Tech’s roster for the 2018-19 season, despite confirming he was transferring to Blacksburg from Auburn earlier this year. Head coach Sergio Lopez confirmed this to Swimming World, saying Gonzalez decided to return home to train with his club and think about what he will do next.
Gonzalez was SEC Freshman of the Year in 2018 after having a superb first year at Auburn. He announced he was transferring to Virginia Tech after Lopez left Auburn for the vacant head coaching position of the Hokies.
Hugo Gonzalez would have been the second fastest 400 IM’er returning this season behind reigning National Champion Abrahm DeVine of Stanford. He was a 3:35.76 at SEC’s in 2018 in the 400 IM, which puts him third all-time in the event behind Chase Kalisz (3:33.42) and DeVine (3:35.29).
Gonzalez was a 1:39.05 in the 200 back, which would have put him as the sixth fastest returning this year. He was also a 1:40.67 in the 200 IM at SEC’s, which would have made him the fourth fastest returning for the 2018-19 school year.
Swimming World reached out to Virginia Tech Swimming and Diving and got the following statement from Lopez.
“Hugo was initially enrolled in school, but shortly after the start of the semester he made the decision to return home. He is training with his club and thinking about what he will do next. I am sad to see him leave, but we have an amazing personal relationship, and I support him and his decision. He is not just a talented swimmer, but a very good person too.”
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