By Jacob Russell//
Spending time at the neighborhood pool on a hot summer day is a timeless tradition that’s almost as American as apple pie.
But there’s a difference between people who simply spend time at the pool, and people like Russell Odor.
Odor, a 19-year-old sophomore from Richmond, Virginia, specializes in freestyle and butterfly for Hood’s swim team.
Anyone who knows him understands that him being a swimmer in collegiate athletics comes as no surprise, after all he’s been swimming both recreationally and competitively since he was 6.
“My parents met while working at a pool, so my whole life has pretty much been based around the pool,” Odor said.
Odor is majoring in integrated marketing and communications, and while he’s interested in pursuing social media marketing, he isn’t quite set on it yet.
He’s also an RA for Smith Hall’s second floor, and when he isn’t busy studying, napping, or practicing for the next swim meet, you can catch him fishing or playing soccer and spikeball in his free time.
Given how he’s been swimming for almost his entire life, Odor has made a plethora of memories he cherishes. But there are certain moments that he reminisces on a little bit more than others.
“My favorite memories from swimming are all based around the people I’ve met. Swim meets can be days long, so we spend a lot of time bonding with our teammates,” Odor said. “The team dinners, late nights in hotels, and cheering on my teammates are by far my fondest memories.”
As far as inspiration goes, Odor credits his parents for being the ones most responsible for crafting the man he is today.
“My parents are by far my biggest motivators and inspirations,” Odor said. “They both showed me how to love, and I believe that’s the most important thing in life.”
Odor’s father, who swam competitively at Old Dominion University, continues to be present at every single one of his son’s swim meets that he can possibly attend, always being sure to offer words of encouragement and advice.
Despite the chaotic life of a student-athlete, and the never-ending, grueling work that Odor has to deal with, he’s happy he chose Hood.
“Initially, I chose Hood because I wanted to continue my athletic career and see how far I could push myself,” he said. “But I ended up falling in love with everything about Hood, and I’m proud to call it my home.”
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