All-Delco Swimmers of the Year: Zack Oswald and Tori Abruzzo Chart Divergent Paths to Success

HAVERFORD – Reflecting on the past, Zack Oswald particularly cherishes how he remained relatively unnoticed for quite some time during his high school days. It wasn’t until later that he underwent a remarkable transformation similar to those few notable Haverford School swimmers who gained national recognition over the years.

Due to her surname, Tori Abruzzo couldn’t follow in just anyone’s footsteps. Her path stood out because she has two accomplished elder brothers who were part of swimming history at Georgia: three-time Daily Times Swimmer of the Year Mia Abruzzo and Germantown Academy graduate Andrew Abruzzo, a World Junior Champion and Pan American Games gold medal winner.

Each one has welcomed the distinctiveness of their own path. While some might experience stress due to competing with overachieving brothers or sisters, Abruzzo aimed to follow her example instead. Consequently, she sets similar standards for her younger sibling, Gabi Abruzzo, who is also a junior.

Tori mentioned, "Gabi and I share many similarities, as well as Andrew and Mia. This resemblance likely stems from our proximity in age. All four of us have quite a bit in common, but Gabi and I are practically two peas in a pod. That’s probably why she emulates my every move just like I’d mimic anything Mia does, who herself tends to emulate much of what Andrew does."

Oswald had his set of role models at Haverford School, where he started in fifth grade. He began swimming in his native Connecticut before moving to the area and was late to break into backstroke as a specialty.

It wasn’t until his junior year that he really broke out, skipping from a 48-second 100 backstroker to the 46s, in the process breaking a Delaware County record held by Olympian Shane Ryan.

“I think definitely this year,” Oswald said, “I kind of started feeling like everything was pretty natural.”

From different starting points, both swimmers have arrived at the same award, as 2024-25 Daily Times Swimmers of the Year.

Joining them on the All-Delco team are Oswald’s teammates Jack Grimley and Connor Kirby; Abruzzo’s mates Kailyn Kolessar and Gabi Abruzzo; Episcopal Academy’s Molly Lo and Joyce Liu; Penncrest’s Jonathan Hoole; TJ Hayes and Caroline Whitney of Haverford; Strath Haven senior Gavin Shifflett; and divers Tyler Reeve of Ridley and Kylie Arnot of Interboro.

Tori Abruzzo has earned the All-Delco honor four times, whereas Hoole and Kolessar have received it thrice, along with Arnot, who still has one more year of high school left. Oswald appears here for the second time, just like Lo and Gabi Abruzzo. Whitney stands out as the only freshman among them. They join six juniors and five seniors, bolstered by sophomore teammates Lo and Liu.

The All-Delco squad is chosen in collaboration with local coaches.

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Oswald and Abruzzo concluded their swimming careers impressively at the last Eastern Interscholastic Championships, earning recognition as the Inter-Ac Swimmers of the Year.

Oswald helped Haverford School finish second in the 200 medley relay, in an All-American time of 1:31.74. He finished second in the 100 butterfly in 47.39 seconds. In his best event, the 100 back, he improved his meet and county records with a time of 46.38. He also helped the Fords to an All-American time in the 400 freestyle relay, though placing seventh in a deep field. Haverford finished fifth as a team.

In the mentioned event, Abruzzo assisted Notre Dame in securing an All-American title and claiming a bronze medal in the 200 medley relay. She clinched victory in the 200 individual medley with a timing of 2:01.10, followed by excelling in the 100 backstroke with a mark of 53.41 seconds, tying Alex Sumner’s Delco record set in 2017. Additionally, Abruzzo contributed significantly as she aided the Irish to secure sixth place finishes both in the 400 freestyle relay and overall team standings.

Following the departure of last year’s Swimmer of the Year, Devyn Sargent, the Irish failed to replicate the two county records achieved by Abruzzo in 2024. However, as one of just a handful of seniors on a rebuilding squad, Abruzzo aimed to establish a distinct legacy.

I hope that everybody grew much closer this year," she stated. "In my opinion, the key to having an outstanding team is fostering good relationships among all members. Each year during high school, I felt our bond with teammates strengthened, and I believe this is crucial because there’s nothing more rewarding than touching the finish line knowing your entire team is supporting you.

Oswald's fencing journey came full circle in an unconventional manner. He initially attended the event back in February 2020, shortly before the global lockdown began. At that point, as a seventh-grader, he traveled to Franklin and Marshall College merely to experience what the competition felt like.

I simply recall how the older members, such as Brian Brennan and Tony Octaviano, took care of us," he stated. "They ensured that we felt integrated into the team despite our significant age difference from them. Just observing their swimming performances was quite motivational. These swimmers would compete and triumph in various events, which inspired me knowing that athletes from Haverford could achieve similar success.

Octaviano, recognized as both an All-Delco and a quick developer during his high school days, who went on to swim at the University of Minnesota, has returned as an assistant coach. Recalling how swimmers from Easterns recall the achievements in the breaststroke established a blueprint for the legacy Oswald aimed to create.

I simply wanted to create a lasting impression for future generations," he stated. "People might observe this and think, alright, he wasn't the quickest during his freshmen or sophomores years, but he managed to progress throughout high school. It’s not necessary to excel immediately upon entering as a freshman—you can grow gradually and eventually achieve success.

Abruzzo plans to advance her career at South Carolina. That’s also where Kolessar will be heading in 2026, following Madison Kolessar who transferred there last year from Florida as a graduate student. In terms of their overall achievements, the three Abruzzo siblings collectively hold 10 lifetime All-Delco honors compared to the trio of Kolessars with nine such recognitions (Madison began her swimming journey at Garnet Valley but did not compete during her sophomore year).

Tori had chosen South Carolina prior to Madison's transfer, but with her enrolled there, it further strengthens a distinctive bond between both families, who have deep roots in Delaware County's swimming legacy.

I find this really awesome," Tori commented. "The entire records board at Notre Dame has our last names—Kaitlyn’s, mine, and Devyn's. Plus, being present for all those achievements is incredible—even though I wasn’t part of the team with Madison, I still had the chance to see them excel so much at Easterns.

Oswald's path at college might have changed course in the previous autumn. Initially committed to Notre Dame, their men’s team had ceased operations last year until the 2023-24 academic year because of cultural problems related to betting. The Irish program has since resumed activities, and Oswald is among multiple prospects who chose to remain with them despite these challenges.

Despite the ambiguity, Oswald perceives a chance to initiate a program virtually from scratch.

It was certainly stressful initially since I wasn't clear about the situation," he explained. "No one informed us regarding the duration of Notre Dame’s team suspension. Thus, I decided to explore alternative possibilities. During a subsequent unofficial visit in the fall, memories resurfaced as to why I had chosen this place originally. The current freshman members endured the entire year without playing; therefore, letting them down was not an option.

I believe we have significant momentum. We've acquired numerous new players and a great deal of talented individuals. Therefore, I think we're poised to astonish many people in the upcoming year.

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