Swimmer Overcomes Three Brushes With Cancer Before Competing at NCAA Championship- “I Don’t Feel Like a Cancer Survivor”

Some people just never give up. No matter what the circumstance may be, they always find a way to emerge victorious. Texas A&M’s Ethan Gogulski is one such athlete who has faced severe adversities on his way to the NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships this year. While most people in his shoes would have given up easily, he stood strong for his love for swimming and is finally back in the championships, ready to rule the pool.

In the SEC Swimming & Diving Championships last month, Ethan Gogulski marked his return in the competition with two podium finishes. He won two silver medals in the 100 and 200-meter backstroke events. However, his journey to that podium was longer than a few 100 hundred meters.

Ethan Gogulski fought three cancer battles to return to the NCAA championship

His comeback in the NCAA Swimming Championships was not as simple as adapting to a new training routine. Ethan fought the toughest battle of his life to make a comeback to swimming.

He was first diagnosed with Testicular Cancer before his first conference championship. After what was initially a successful surgery, the cancer was back in lymph nodes and stomach. While he fought cancer twice and was getting back in shape, it came back for the third time.

But having emerged victorious once again, Gogulski said, “And now it kind of feels like there was a light in the dark, of me being able to share my story. To motivate people in swimming and outside of swimming and it’s great.” 

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A true fighter indeed

Ethan Gogulski’s comeback journey is perhaps one of the most inspiring stories in sports ever. However, the most special part about his battle with cancer was his positive attitude.

Ethan said, “I remember somebody asked me to go to a cancer survivor dinner and I was like ‘I don’t feel like a cancer survivor. All I did was a surgery. I’ve had surgeries before.”

To have that kind of maturity as an 18-year-old kid is a blessing for Ethan and for his parents. He seems to get along with everything life throws at him. It’s these qualities that might reward him for the NCAA championship this year.

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