Q: How did you get into swimming growing up in Chile, and how did you wind up at Penn State?

LAZZERINI: My parents were swimmers, and my brother started in a club team. He was the first one to come to the States. There was a group of guys who started going to the United States for swimming. Back home, people would usually reach 18 and go to college and quit [swimming]. They took a different route and started coming here and graduating and kept swimming. That was my path to follow. I started when I was 3 years old. At first I hated it; it took so much time. But then I started liking it and started to get good. I saw a future in the sport and decided to keep swimming and continue with my academics at Penn State. I loved the school and the culture here and thought, “This is a no-brainer for me.”

Q: Who were some of your swimming heroes or role models when you were growing up? How about now?

LAZZERINI: I started with Michael Phelps. He’s the most impressive athlete in the world, probably. Then I started liking [nine-time Olympic gold medalist] Caeleb Dressel, because he resembled me. I wanted to be like him. His type of training really stood out for me.

Q: Why is the breaststroke your best event, and is it your favorite?

LAZZERINI: I think it’s because it’s the easiest to train. Some would say that. Personally, I don’t think it’s the easiest. Everyone I swim with says, yeah, you can’t complain. I really like the stroke because I’m really bad at underwater (swimming). 

Q: What’s been your best moment as a competitive swimmer so far?

LAZZERINI: When I won Big Tens. It was really unexpected. It was an incredible moment. I’d never felt something like that before.

Q: How do you get ready for a meet? Are there certain routines you have? Take me through your last hour before a competition.

LAZZERINI: Everything starts a few days before. I start trying to get more rest and focus mainly on recovery. An hour before the race, I start listening to really loud music, something that gets me really fired up, and start visualizing my races. That’s what helps me the most. I try to stay quiet and locked in, and visualize how I will win the race. I imagine myself doing the turns, the underwaters, the start, and trying to get a time. I set up my clock on my phone and start it, and then start the race in my head. I try to stay as close as I can to the time I want to hit.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not in the pool?

LAZZERINI: I like playing video games, being outside with my friends. Here, it’s kind of cold, so there’s not much to do outside in the winter.

Q: What do you hope to do after graduating?

LAZZERINI: My first plan was getting a job like everybody else, but after this year, I really wanted to stay connected to swimming and keep swimming. I made my goal to go to the 2028 Olympics. I’m going back home and am going to practice and do everything I can to reach that goal.

Q: What has been your favorite class at Penn State?

LAZZERINI: Math 110, because it was such a grind. I met some awesome guys, but it was a challenge.

Q: Favorite movie?

LAZZERINI: The Wolf of Wall Street.

Q: Favorite meal?

LAZZERINI: Burgers.

Q: Favorite sport that isn’t swimming?

LAZZERINI: Soccer.

Q: Describe your perfect day.

LAZZERINI: Sleeping until like 12, maybe 10, waking up, having some coffee. I like to have my structure; I have pretty much the same schedule every day. Chill for a little bit, maybe watch some Netflix, and then start doing something productive, hopefully.