Bio

As a Senior: Recorded an overall top time in the 50Y freestyle (20.44), and season best times at the 2021 Shark Invitational where he became the champion in the 100Y backstroke (47.90), 200Y backstroke (1:47.78) earning second place. Russo competed at the 2021 NCAA division II championships where he swam the 100Y backstroke (48.13) earning himself a spot in B-finals, and raced the 100Y butterfly (48.08) posting a season best.

As a Junior: Attended West Virginia University…Scholar All-American...Recorded top times in the 50 fly (21.80), 50 free (20.64), 50 back (21.79), and 100 fly (47.90). Placed fourth in the 100 back (47.80) and fifth in the 200 back (1:46.22) at the Big 12 Conference Championships.

As a Freshman: Attended West Virginia University…All-Big 12 First Team…Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team…Helped 200 medley relay team to a silver medal and school-record time of 1:25.97 at Big 12 Championship…Also a member of school-record setting 400 medley relay team at Big 12 Championship (3:09.78 – won silver medal)…Won bronze medal in 100 back at conference meet, finishing in 47.89 (NCAA B-cut)…Finished sixth in 100 fly at Big 12s, earning an NCAA B-qualifying time of 47.83…Won consolation final of 200 back at Big 12s, touching the wall in 1:47.86…A member of the 200 medley relay team that broke the WVU Natatorium record against Pitt (1:29.94).As a Sophomore: Attended West Virginia University…All-Big 12 Second Team…Academic All-Big 12 First Team…Big 12 Men’s Swimmer of the Week – 1/9/19…Helped 200 and 400 medley relay teams to silver-medal, school-record performances at the Big 12 Championship…Finished fifth in the 100 back at the Big 12 Championship in 49.02.

High School: Swam at Cave Spring High for coach Andy Hurray…NISCA All-America selection…Two-time Virginia 3A High School League champion – 100 fly, 100 back (swam both in state record times)…Swam in NASA Junior National Cup and 2016 AT&T Winter Championships…Helped Virginia Gators win 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay at ISCA Junior Championship Cup in 2017…Second in 50 fly at ISCA Junior Championship Cup…Second in 100 fly and 50 back at ISCA Jr. National Cup…2016 Timesland Boys Swimmer of the Year…Member of Beta Club. 

Personal: Son of Joseph and Lori Russo…Has three brothers… Finance major…During the club season, he swam for the Virginia Gators under coach Doug Fonder... Broke Virginia State Records…Birthdate: 05/12/1999.