UC-Berkeley swimmer Destin Lasco returns to alma mater Mainland Regional
LINWOOD, N.J. — Destin Lasco, of Linwood, is a 2020 graduate of Mainland Regional High School. Now a junior at the University of California at Berkley, Lasco returned to his alma mater on Dec. 22 to speak to the current Mainland boys and girls swim team, sharing what he has learned as a competitive swimmer and as an individual determined to become the best swimmer and student he can be.
“It was my first time walking in the building since Covid-19 changed everything,” said Lasco. “They welcomed me back. I knew Mainland was special then, but I can see it even more now.”
“I had so many people give me opportunities. I know how much I appreciated hearing from other athletes who compete at a high level who spoke when I was a student,” said Lasco. “I was that kid in the locker room with more questions than answers. I told them how I manage my time between swimming and my studies. The kids want to learn; they all want to be the best version of themselves.”
“From the swim coaches to (Athletic Director) Michael Gatley, to (Chief School Administrator) Mr. Marrone, to (Guidance Counselor) Miss Wixson, everyone at Mainland helped me. I cannot thank them enough,” said Lasco. “They helped me with my schedule and my training and set me up to do my best. Miss Wixson was so great in keeping me on track with deadlines I had to meet. Looking back, I understand what it means when they say it takes a village.” Mainland AD, Mike Gatley said, “Destin Lasco truly embodies the definition of a student and an athlete. One of the most impressive swimmers in Mainland’s storied swim history, yet his exploits in the pool pale in comparison to the man he has become. Through all his successes in the water, Destin remains grounded and humble, two characteristics that should be a model for every young athlete to emulate.”
The village extends beyond the halls of Mainland. Lasco trained with Dave Klemic at KPM in Egg Harbor Township. “Dave Klemic helped me so much with not only the physical aspect of the sport and training but also how to handle the mental aspect of training,” said Lasco. “It is a lot on you when you are trying to handle academics during recruiting.” Lasco said Klemic helped him develop an explosive start off the block.
After speaking with the Mainland swimmers, Lasco headed off to speak with swimmers training under coach Jim Ellis of the Philadelphia Recreation Department. “Coach Ellis is a great motivator and has had success bringing diverse and talented swimmers to the pool. My message was much the same to them as at Mainland: work with your family, your school, and your coaches to be the best version of yourself. I also wanted to remind them to have some fun along the way because if you don’t have fun, you will burn out before you reach your goals.”
Destin Lasco, the son of Glenn Lasco Sr. and Uyen Vu-Lasco, is not the only elite swimmer in the family. His older brother Glenn was a standout swimmer at Mainland as well. Just 18 months older than Destin, Glenn swam for Lehigh University.
While Destin is more than 2,500 miles from Linwood, there is a home touch every day. “Training is so important and not only exercise but also the fuel you put into your body. My parents have always been a big part of that and even now, they ship meals to me,” said Lasco. “Both my parents can cook, but my mom is an amazing cook.
Glenn Lasco Sr. said his son reached out to him during his freshman year and asked about preparing and sending food. “We want to do whatever we can to help our son be successful. When he was in high school, we would drive him to Philadelphia multiple times a week to train. My wife and I look at it as our way of helping. So, we make sure he is getting a vegetable, a carb, and a protein in each meal we prepare.”
The couple, who are busy getting their own business, Vital Surgical Technologies, off the ground prepares, packs, and ships 50 meals at a time to help fuel their very hungry swimmer. “I really appreciate my parent’s help,” said Lasco. “My typical day starts very early and is filled with training and classwork. So that time I would spend on dinner, I can study or I can relax and it really helps to balance my day.”
So, what is a typical day for someone striving to be one of the world’s best swimmers? Wake up is 5:15 and in the pool by 6 – 7:45. From 8-9 it is weight lifting. Class is 9-11:30 a.m. and then it is lunch and hopefully a quick nap. Afternoon practice begins at 2:15-3:30 and then it is back to class from 4-6 p.m. Finish off with dinner, study time, and sleep.
While Lasco is currently churning up the water at Cal Berkeley, the former Mustang standout may have aspirations of seeing Paris as a member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic swim team, but he does not want to get ahead of himself. “It is really important to stay focused on your next goal. Looking too far ahead could cloud that focus, so I keep myself in line for what is next,” said Lasco. He is also focused on academics and was accepted into the Haas School of Business, another goal Lasco had in his sights.
Dec. 28-Jan 11 Lasco trained at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The swimmer reports the facility is amazing, with everything available for each specific sport. Up next is an invitational swim meet in Knoxville and then the NCAA men’s swimming championships in Minneapolis, March 21-25. Training in Colorado Springs, at a high elevation, will help with his oxygen maximization and lung capacity and hopefully allow him to shave precious seconds off his specialties: the backstroke and the 200- and 400-meter individual medley.
For the Record:
While Destin Lasco may have graduated, he left his mark on Mainland with school and National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association records. Solo and as part of relay teams, Destin Lasco retains top times in four different Mainland freestyle distances, the butterfly, backstroke, and individual medley, as well as a part of three different four-man relay record times.
The NISCA national records Lasco holds are:
100m backstroke – 53.28 seconds, Jan. 12, 2018.
200m individual medley – 2:00.14, Jan. 12, 2018.
400m freestyle – 3:53.30, Dec. 14, 2017.
200m individual medley – 2:02.14, Jan. 17, 2017.
100m freestyle – 49.95, Jan.6, 2017.
200m freestyle relay – 1:34.09, Feb. 13,2017 with Glenn Lasco, Joe Rogers, and Justin Liu.
200m freestyle relay – 1:33.07, Jan. 9, 2018 with Joe Rogers, Nicholas Dinofrio, and brother Glenn Lasco.
200m individual medley relay – Jan.9, 2018 with Erik Truong, Glenn Lasco, and Joe Rogers.
400m freestyle relay – 3:26.36, Jan. 6, 2017 with Glenn Lasco, Brian McGroarty, and Justin Liu.
200m freestyle relay – 1:34.95, Jan. 4, 2017 with Glenn Lasco, Brian McGroarty, and Justin Liu.
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