Rocco Aceto

Inducted May 2007

Rocco Aceto began his swimming career for the Pine Tree Swim Club of the Portland YMCA in the mid 1970’s for Ernie Tarling (former Harold Paulson athlete). 

Rocco quickly established his total dominance of both the YMCA and AAU swimming leagues.  At the end of his 10 year old season he held every Maine YMCA/AAU state record.  He matched that accomplishment at the end of his 12 year old season and at the end of his 14 year old season broke 90% of those state records.  He set several YMCA New England records and  was a New England champion 12 times in five years.  He narrowly missed the YMCA national record in the 100 IM when he was 10. 

In 1979 at 14, he qualified for YMCA nationals in many events but placed as high as 18th in the 50 free with a state record that still stands today (22.35).

Rocco attended high school at the Peddie Prep School in New Jersey becoming a prep school All American all four years of school. Rocco went on to attend the University of North Carolina State University setting school and conference records as well as being an NCAA 1 qualifier all four seasons and an All American his junior and senior years.  He was an Olympic Trials Qualifier for the 1988 team.

He went on to coach both club and university teams.  He coached many state record breakers and many NCAA 1 championship qualifiers including four Olympic Trials qualifying swimmers. He currently coaches in Florida where he lives with his wife and children.