University of Massachusets Athletics
Inside the Goggles with... Joe Woodman
October 30, 2014 | Men's Swimming & Diving
The third installment of a weekly series where UMass Athletics catches up with members of the Swimming & Diving teams for a Question & Answer session! Next on the blocks is Joe Woodman.
Joe is a junior Industrial Engineering major from State College, Pa. He attended Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. as a freshman before transferring to UMass prior to last season. He finished 5th in the 500 free and 4th in the 1650 free at last year's Atlantic 10 Championship meet.
How would you describe this team in regards to personality and work ethic?
"Fantastic. It hasn't changed much from last year, but we've always been really positive, always had a great time. Work hard, play hard kind of thing."
In what ways have you grown at UMass?
"I've gotten a lot stronger; the team has gotten a lot stronger. I've shaped into a high level, collegiate athlete. I transferred from a D3 school, and coming here I just have improved so much, it's unbelievable. Especially from where I started at the beginning of last season to now."
How would you describe coach Yarworth?
"He's great. It's a perfect balance between laid back, but intense. It's great swimming for him."
What are some of your earliest memories of swimming and diving?
"I started swimming when I was 4 years old. The first championship meet I won was when I was 6 in the 25 yd. freestyle at Welsh Pool in my hometown of State College, Pa."
Describe your best moment in sports?
"My best moment was walking out for finals at A-10's last year. That was just unbelievable compared to what I had experienced at high school or my previous college. It was just breathtaking."
Do you have any siblings that play sports?
"I have two older sisters that are also both swimmers."
Is there any family rivalry?
"My older brother swam his freshman year of college at a Division 3 school, and my little brother also swims. As for rivalries, we're four years apart, so a little bit with my older brother once I caught up to his level. We'll see if I can hold my little brother off my heels before he catches up."
Who is the best singer on the team?
"Ryan Bobianski."