Those who attend Iona College know what “Certa Bonum Certamen” means. The short Latin phrase meaning “Fight the Good Fight” embodies the rich tradition surrounding all those who have donned the Maroon & Gold. By being a Gael, you accept the college’s calling to go above and beyond in the classroom and create positive change in the local, national, and international community.
To some student-athletes, both past and present, “Certa Bonum Certamen” has become a lifestyle. Junior Christian Foti of the men’s swimming & diving team has made such a commitment. He has taken competitive swimming to a whole new level by applying it to a personal passion of his, lifeguarding. Foti has taken it upon himself to save lives and in the process, has been recognized as one the elite lifeguards in the nation. The standout student-athlete spent the opening weeks of September in the Netherlands competing at the 2016 Lifesaving World Championships.
Over the last two years, Foti had cemented himself as one of the country’s best by earning national recognition as a champion and top-three finalist in events held in Florida at Daytona and Hermosa Beach. Foti earned the right to be a slam-dunk choice for Team USA as selected by United States Lifesaving Association.
Lifesaving is an Olympic-affiliated event and is in the process of becoming an official competition in future Olympic games. Foti, the youngest of his five fellow American teammates, took to the sand and water against 36 other countries represented at the international experience.
The Lifesaving World Championships is six0day event including three days in the pool and two by the ocean. Foti faced stiff competition in the pool competing against 20 Olympic swimmers. Iona’s own, and his teammates, raised their talents to the level and set a new United States record in the 4×25 manikin relay at 1:56.05. Individually, Foti competed in the 200-meter obstacle swim, an event which entails diving under various deep obstacles.
Foti and his teammates found their strongest footing when the competition turned to the ocean portion. To many, 55 degree ocean water and a full day of endless strenuous doesn’t sound appealing, but for Foti and Team USA, it proved to be a rallying cry.
Foti’s main event was the 400-meter surf race. It is an event where 40 competitors depart from the shore and swim to an obstacle course designated by buoys and return back to the finish line on shore. Despite the size and age difference among his challengers, Foti placed sixth, the second highest U.S. finish of all time.
The ocean man relay followed the surf race. The relay contained one board paddler, one surf ski paddler and one swimmer. Foti dove into the event as the anchor and out swam the Australian Olympian tailing him, maintaining a third place finish for the USA. It was the first time in history that the United States took the podium for a relay event.
Foti was at a loss while he stood atop the podium as the National Anthem played.
“The Netherlands was the single coolest week of my life,” he described his experience. “Being able to carry the USA flag at ceremonies, race and say I’m on the USA team was amazing. Being picked out of everyone to represent my country was unbelievable.”
Foti honorably donned the red, white and blue and represented the Maroon & Gold legacy with dignity while at the championships. Now returning to New Rochelle, he is looking to continue the success from the offseason. Last year Foti was named Iona’s most valuable performer by head coach Nick Cavataro. The junior team captain holds the 100-meter, 500-meter and 1650-meter freestyle school records.
If you go to a swim meet this year, be sure to watch Christian Foti and pay close attention to his right arm as he explosively moves throughout the water. On it, is tattooed “Certa Bonum Certamen”.
Doing what is right when no one is watching and doing the best you can, in and out of the pool. Whether it is representing our nation or Iona, Foti embodies what it mean to be a Gael and “Fight the Good Fight”.
Courtesy of Iona Gaels.
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