Freshman Zach Eisig is a relative novice in the swimming world, taking up the sport competitively just four years ago.  But the Damascus, Md., native broke several pool records this year throughout the CAC and hopes to help Mary Washington continue its dominance in the conference.  INTRODUCING … Zach Eisig.

Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play?   I started swimming on my high school team in 9^th grade, but I didn’t start swimming year round until the 10^th grade.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?  Currently I’m a business major, but am looking to be a math major. The most important thing I have learned in business is Assets=Liabilities + Equity

What is your favorite spot on campus?  The student-athlete lounge is my favorite because it’s a nice place where I can just relax and watch TV before a tough practice.

Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit?   I like Hawaii. I just love how everyone there is so relaxed and it’s an absolutely beautiful place.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  Off campus, I’m part of a relay for life team and have helped out doing work with that event for the past 3 years in my hometown.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.   When we travelled to Salisbury for the first time in 13 years and I broke two of their pool records while our whole team broke 5 pool records in total.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?  My high school swim coach (Buzz Maddox). She taught me how to be a competitor and to never give up on your dreams.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?   Drugs and alcohol. They are so prominent in modern music and television that it makes college kids think that they must do those things to fit in.

What is your favorite thing about the CAC, or what would you change about the CAC if you could.   I love how although it’s super fun, it’s also a competitive atmosphere. It’s a good balance between competitive and enjoyable.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?  I would promote cancer awareness.  My little brother beat leukemia about 3 years ago and it plagued our whole family, as well as my grandmother passed away from lung cancer about 6 months ago. I would promote cancer research in the community and in society to make sure there’s money going towards figuring out what causes things such as leukemia.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?   Anything comedy driven; comedy movies, stand up comedy, etc. I think it’s important for someone to enjoy life and to be able to laugh because it takes the edge off.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  If you find something that interests you and you excel at, stick with it.

Outside of the CAC, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  Kobe Bryant. He plays with heart and determination. He sets goals for himself and he goes out and gets them. I really admire someone who shoots high.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?   Michael Jordan, George Washington, and Rosa Parks.

Michael Jordan because I want to know what it’s like to be the best and what it takes to be the best. George Washington because I want to be able to know what it’s like to be the first to do something. And Rosa Parks because I want to know what it’s like to go against the norm and not listen to other people because most swimmers are extremely tall, and I myself am quite short for a swimmer. So I want to know how it feels to do something different from others.