Daniel Boone’s Guiliano commits to Notre Dame
Competition always seems to bring out the best in Daniel Boone senior Chris Guiliano.
Last year at the PIAA Swimming Championships, Guiliano set three Berks records and won a Class 3A gold medal in the 200 freestyle.
He looks to push himself to the limits again in his final high school season and for the next four years swimming at Notre Dame.
Guiliano has committed to continue his athletic and academic careers for the Fighting Irish to make a dream come true.
“I chose Notre Dame because of the family atmosphere provided by the student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Guiliano said. “It was awesome to learn about the rich history, premier academics and athletics, alongside lifetime opportunities from Notre Dame. I believe it was a perfect fit for my family and me. I grew up dreaming to be a part of this university.”
The dream to swim in a Division I program began when Guiliano was 8. He swam on age-group teams, for the Boyertown YMCA, TOPS Swimming out of Pottstown and for his high school team.
No matter who he’s swimming for, Guiliano is known for giving 100% effort 100% of the time. He was voted the Berks Swimmer of the Year in each of the last two seasons.
“Chris is the real deal in swimming and that is very rare,” said Chris Breedy, Guiliano’s high school coach. “He works hard, does exactly what you ask him to do and takes swimming very seriously, and he’s having a ball with it. He wants to be the best and is willing to do what it takes to go all the way.”
Prior to attending Notre Dame, Guiliano plans to participate in the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in June in Omaha, Neb. He qualified in the 50 freestyle during the U.S. Open in November in Richmond, Va.
“I’m really excited to gain some knowledge of the meet, experience and participate in one of the fastest meets in the world,” Guiliano said.
Guiliano, who said he picked Notre Dame over North Carolina State, also is looking forward to the challenges of swimming in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“Going up against and teaming up with some of the top guys in the country is something I’m very proud to be a part of,” Guiliano said. “Being from the East Coast, I hope this allows my family to get out to some of these future meets.”
Guiliano, who said he plans to major in finance, said he is looking forward to resuming practice on Monday when the pause of youth and high school sports imposed by Gov. Tom Wolf expires.
For the past three weeks, Guiliano said he has been doing whatever he can to stay in shape in hopes of getting the season started.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have a couple of friends who love to lift weights and exercise,” Guiliano said. “So I’ve been able to continue the dryland part of things at some home gyms.”
Guiliano won the PIAA Class 3A gold in the 200 free in a Berks-record 1:35.81 after placing second in the preliminaries. He placed third in the prelims in the 100 free in a Berks record-time of 44.55.
He never got a chance to swim in the final in the 100 free when the state meet was cut short because of the coronavirus pandemic and brought home a bronze medal in that event. He set the county record of 20.27 in the 50 free leading off Daniel Boone’s 200 free relay team.
As a sophomore at the state meet, Guiliano finished fifth in the 200 individual medley and sixth in the 200 free.
“My two greatest accomplishments have to be winning the state gold in the 200 free and being able to swim (at states) in a relay with my teammates,” Guiliano said. “It was exciting to swim in a relay up at Bucknell.”