“She is someone I will always remember as a fierce competitor,” says swim coach Barry Fontaine ’82.
A Champion Swimmer
This fall, Anna Vygoder, arguably the greatest swimmer in Rhode Island College history, will complete her final year on the team. At just 22 years old, she has already achieved remarkable success, earning her bachelor’s degree in justice studies this year while currently pursuing a master’s in the same field. Reflecting on her journey, Anna admits she never anticipated becoming a champion swimmer while growing up in Russia.
“I didn’t see many pools,” she recalls. “My dad had a passion for swimming but didn’t do it competitively. When we moved to the States, he would show me techniques. Coaches from the YMCA in Lincoln saw me swim and encouraged me to sign up for lessons. That’s when I fell in love with the sport.”
Award-Winning Performance
Vygoder’s dedication to swimming has resulted in numerous accolades. She was named the Little East Conference Swimmer of the Year after dominating the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard breaststroke, earning First-Team All-Little East honors at the conference championship. Additionally, for two consecutive years, she has been named the Anchorwomen’s most valuable swimmer and has received Little East All-Academic honors three times, showcasing her balance of athletics and academics.
“I excel in swimming because once I hit the pool, nothing else matters. It’s just me and the pool. I zone everything else out,” Vygoder explains.
Coaching Impact and Leadership
As a student at Lincoln High School, her competitive nature sometimes led her to train excessively. This changed when she joined Rhode Island College and met Coach Fontaine.
“Coach Fontaine showed me a different side of swimming,” she says. “He would talk to me about other aspects of life to take my mind off the pressures of competitive swimming.”
“I could use many adjectives to describe Anna,” Fontaine says, “but the best one is dependable. She’s dependable in the pool, during practice or a meet; dependable in the classroom, with a perfect 4.0 for four straight years; and dependable as a team leader who helps out when teammates need her most. She is a fierce competitor with a warm heart and undoubtedly one of RIC’s all-time best student-athletes.”
Commitment Beyond Sports
During her senior year, Vygoder was honored with the Helen Murphy Award, recognizing her not just for athletic prowess but also for her involvement in the community and campus life. Beyond swimming, she is committed to serving her country. “After moving here from Russia, I wanted to give back to a country that welcomed me,” she states. She enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard in 2021 and plans to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army after obtaining her master’s degree.
Looking back, Anna reflects, “The minute I stepped onto campus, I knew enrolling at RIC was a good decision. I love the smaller class sizes and the personal relationships I developed with professors. RIC feels like home because of all the memories and close connections. It will always be my anchor point and a strong support system.”
