SAN ANTONIO – The transition from Piraeus, Greece, to the Alamo City might seem like a culture shock to some but not to Panos Vlachogiannakos.
The heat of San Antonio reminds him of home but he said the food is slightly different.
“I really like the food over here,” Vlachogiannakos said. “My favorite food is steak with fries and broccoli.”
His appetite isn’t limited to food. Vlachogiannakos also has a hunger for breaking school records at the University of the Incarnate Word.
So far this year, he’s broken the 500-meter, 1,000-meter, and one-mile (approximately 1,600-meter run) records.
Vlachogiannakos takes pride in being humble while making history.
“Make history is something big, of course, but I want to stay low level, you know? I mean, not get too much excited about it because I need to keep working hard,” Vlachogiannakos said. “Now is the time that I need to refocus and not get distracted.”
UIW Assistant Swimming Coach Dr. Donald Walker praised Vlachogiannakos for his work ethic and character.
“He’s very modest and people gravitate towards him because he works hard,” Walker said. “I’ve worked with thousands of athletes over the last 40-plus years, and he’s the hardest working best athlete I’ve ever coached and he’s a good role model for the people and he’s very encouraging for his teammates, as well.”
Vlachogiannakos said he hopes to one day swim for the Greek National Team — perhaps at the 2028 Olympic Games.
However, for now, he said his primary focus is becoming the first UIW swimmer to qualify for the NCAA Division I National Championship meet.
Last year, he was close to making history.
“I missed the NCAA’s by one-and-a half seconds, but I had a huge improvement in my time,” Vlachogiannakos said. “Who knows? I might get it this year. Why not? I’m working really hard. I think I have the capability to do it, and I want to be the first to do it.”
Vlachogiannakos and the team will compete next at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, on Jan. 12, 2025.