Former NC State swimmer trains for 2024 Olympic trials

By Destinee Patterson, WRAL reporter

Cary, N.C. — Decorated swimmer David Curtiss has his sights set on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The former North Carolina State University swimmer is training at the Triangle Aquatic Center with the hopes of competing in the 50-meter freestyle at the highest level.

“My goal is just to be as fast as possible,” Curtiss told WRAL. “There's only two spots that occupy on the 50 freestyle, so they're really a slim chance.

"My focus is less on time and more on racing.”

Curtiss is training under TAC Titans head swimming coach Bruce Marchionda, who said the athletes are currently training very hard ahead of the Olympic Trials in June. Curtiss will need to place top two to make it on Team USA.

“Right now, we're in a very heavy training load cycle to prepare for some upcoming pro series meets,” Marchionda said. “We're hoping to have somewhere around eight to nine Olympic trial qualifiers.”

When asked who those athletes were, he said, “There are four athletes associated with the Triangle Aquatic Center, which is Ashley Twichell, David Curtiss, Claire Cruzan, along with Michael Cotter.”

Curtiss said he is ready to take his skills to the next level. Working under Marchionda, he said, was the best way to do that.

“The only thing with the NCAA is you compete in short course. Going into the Olympic Games, long course is what you compete in,” Curtiss explained. “I get to work specifically with five different coaches on different aspects of my swimming that are weaknesses.”

Now, he said he is focused on perfecting his technique.

“I pride myself now on my technique. There's a lot of things that were wrong with my racing that I had absolutely no clue about prior to coming to TAC,” Curtiss said. “The 50 freestyle is really technically focused. You really have to be perfect to compete at that high level.”

Curtiss is hopeful he will soon be training for the Olympics as part of Team USA. However, he said he’s excited either way.

“Having the Olympic team - whether I qualify or not - here, in Cary, I just think it's going to be really cool,” Curtiss said.

Marchionda said he’s also looking forward to sharing training space with the Olympians.

“It'll be exciting for our younger swimmers to see. It'll be fun for the public to be able to come over one night. They will do an autograph, public notice, type night with the Olympic team members.”