Plymouth Whitemarsh High School senior Mia Ruggiero has signed a letter of intent to swim for the Widener University Pride. While competing at the high school level, Ruggiero was a four-year varsity swimmer, team captain, and holds the Plymouth Whitemarsh’s record for the 100-yard backstroke.

“By breaking our 100-yard backstroke record five different times over the past three seasons, Mia will go down as one of the all-time greats of PW swimming. No one has put more time in the water and weight room over the past four seasons than Mia, and I’m glad all the hard work has paid off,” said Coach Kevin Golebiewski. “Mia’s swimming career in my opinion is just starting to take off, and I expect to see her continue to break records and get faster while competing at Widener University the next four years.”  

“The swim team becomes your family. If I ever had a bad day at school, going to swim right after would always cheer me up. Swimming helped keep me active, and I learned teamwork and leadership,” said Mia. “At the meets, I loved racing and competing and challenging myself to meet goals that I set with [my coach]. I also loved cheering for my teammates especially when races had exciting close finishes.”

Ruggiero started swimming at the age of six for Ply-Mar Swim Club and Colonial Community Aquatics, where she continues to coach and mentor. 

While not in the pool, Ruggiero is a member of the National Honor Society and has served as an Orientation Leader and for four years as an officer in the Interact Club. She attended the Honors Allied Health Program at Central Montco Technical High School, which helped determine Physical Therapy as her career path. She was accepted into Widener’s prestigious 3+3 Pre-Physical Therapy Doctoral Program.

Photo: Colonial School District. Pictured are Mia Ruggiero (seated) with her family (left to right) brother Justin Ruggiero, mother Jill Ruggiero, father Bobby Ruggiero, and sister Nina Ruggiero