Staten Island, NY | The College of Staten Island Men's Swimming & Diving 2020-21 season hasn't started the way anyone would have envisioned, and that's a shame considering how excited the program is on the debut of a sensational freshman class. New Jersey native Justin Conillas is part of that movement, and he made the choice to attend the College of Staten Island and lend himself to the program that hopes to achieve greatness in the NCAA Division II landscape.
A 2020 graduate from Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, NJ, Conillas chose CSI over his hometown campus of William Paterson University. He also gave significant consideration to fellow New Jersey Athletic Conference powerhouse Montclair State University and CSI's ECC and CUNY-rival, Queens College. In the end, Conillas wanted to settle down on the campus that he felt was the most welcoming and where he could flourish best, and that was overwhelmingly at the College of Staten Island.
"I chose CSI because when I was looking at schools, CSI went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable," Conillas said, who wanted to make an early decision on a college and was able to visit most campuses pre-COVID. "I was given the opportunity for a tour and this allowed me to experience a deep connection with CSI that other schools didn't give me."
This proved to be great news for CSI Head Coach
Michael Ackalitis, who has made it a habit landing high-quality swimmers who double as great students. Conillas is certainly hoping to fit the mold. The aspiring graphic designer is a Communications major at CSI, focusing on Design and Digital Media, and wants to ultimately design videos and photography for branding and marketing big companies. His focus in the classroom and gravitation towards CSI's high-profile program make him a great fit on campus according to his coach.
"Justin has a good focus on what he wants to do post-graduation, so we know our program here will be a great fit for him," said Ackalitis, whose team is a CSCAA Scholar All-America team four years in a row now. "As a team we do a great job of supporting one-another to do well and stay focused in the classroom and I think Justin and the entire freshman class will benefit from that and go on to have a great academic career here."
Of course, Conillas' commitment to his studies is great, but the power he packs in the pool is not to be overlooked. Conillas has always been a natural in the water. Not only has he captained the high school team at Passaic County Tech, he also swam for the Clifton Seahawks from 2013-18, and most recently for Scarlet Aquatics from 2018-20. During his swim career he was named Most Valuable Player, a Rookie of the Year, and earned All-County honors in both 2019 & 2020, specializing in the backstroke and the individual medley.
"Justin is simply a well-rounded swimmer," said his coach. "He's trained and worked incredibly hard to get to this point and he still has tremendous room to grow. Bringing that same attitude he had at the high school and club level to us here, I know not only is he going to get better but he's going to raise the profile and expectations of our entire program. He is going to be instrumental to our depth and to our relay teams, and will push his teammates in practice."
Ackalitis knows that Conillas is a high-performing impact recruit, it's just a matter of when he can showcase in the water. For Conillas it has proved frustrating, but he stays grounded knowing it is just a matter of time before he can add true value to his new team. "Since classes have moved to online learning, it sometimes feels like making an impact is impossible," he admitted. "I know the moment things change and I'm able to return to in-person learning, I will be able to interact face-to-face with my fellow peers inside a classroom and be a true part of the swim team."
Like all the other CSI swimmers, Conillas is in a difficult spot. With the Sports & Recreation Center, and the pool specifically, still closed due to COVID, it is impossible to train side-by-side with his teammates, but he still swims locally as often as he can. Like his peers, he is trying to be crafty on how to stay in top form. "I keep focusing on my sport during this time by working out and staying active at home and trying to keep myself motivated," he said. What has helped is staying connected to his future teammates. While it is frustrating not be able to work out and train together, Conillas is enjoying the virtual camaraderie his coaches have set up for him and other new Dolphins. "It is hard to be a part of the team since you don't see them everyday, but so far it has been great," he said. "I'm excited to compete with my teammates once everything goes back to normal."
Ackalitis knows that time is coming, and when it does, he feel that Conillas is one of a few faces who will not only make a splash, but will add to the culture he is trying to build now that CSI is a part of the NCAA Division II register, looking to be a serious force within the Metropolitan Swimming Conference. "All of our freshmen are bringing a competitive edge to our program that is going to help us take that next step," said Ackalitis. "Our entire team's desire to grow and develop has us excited about the program we are putting together. Each year we are building and making an impact and swimmers like Justin are helping us to continue that trend."
Conillas is equally excited to be that "fit" that Ackalitis is hoping he and others can be to the unit. More than the medals and records and trophies he will try to pursue while being a Dolphin, Conillas is looking forward to the simple things that come with being a part of the Dolphins' family. "I am most looking forward to make amazing memories with my team that I would cherish for the rest of my life," he stated. "That's what I am most looking forward to."
Born and raised in New Jersey, Conillas is currently on athletic scholarship at CSI. He is currently living at home with his parents, Jose Luis and Jessica, but will be living in Dolphin Cove when classes resume to in-person. Around sports his whole life, Justin's father played soccer as a youngster, and his mother was a volleyball player in her native Peru. He also has an older sister, Nicole. "I've been around sports my whole life, playing soccer and doing things like karate, but swimming is something I just always loved," Conillas said. "Once I saw it in the Olympics as a kid, I knew that's what I wanted to do."
That same energy will be on display soon at CSI and in the pool with Justin. Like many, he chose CSI, and the Dolphins will be better for it.
