NAG Record Holder Isabella Rongione Retires, Opens Up About Mental Health

Isabella Rongione at Summer Nationals in 2014; Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

National age-group record holder and former USC swimmer Isabella Rongione announced her retirement from swimming this week, opening up about her struggles with mental health.

Rongione made the announcement via Instagram. She last competed in the fall semester in 2018 for USC as a sophomore and opted out of the 2019-20 season to prepare for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials. But after a suicide attempt, she was admitted to treatment in January 2019 and has “constantly been in treatment for my mental health.” That struggle has prevented her from returning to the pool.

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From Rongione’s post:

My mental health had to be the priority over the past couple years and I never was able to fully commit to getting back into the pool. Thank you swimming for all the memories and friends you gave me since the first day I started. Thank you for being a huge part of my life. it is something that I am very grateful to have experienced

Rongione swam for Nation’s Capital Swim Club and was a member of the national junior team for open water. The McLean, Va., native still holds the national age-group record for 11-12 girls 1,500-meter freestyle, setting a time of 16:48.12 in 2012. She placed in the top 20 at Summer Nationals in 2017 in two events and also competed at Nationals in 2018.

Rongione qualified for the Pac-12 Championships in the 1,650 and 500 in 2018.

Isabella Rongione’s post ended with a call to support other athletes struggling with their mental health:

To all those athletes dealing with mental health issues — make sure to take the time you need in order to heal yourself properly. Mental health is just as, or even more important than your physical health. It’s okay to take time away from your sport in order to heal your body. You deserve the help you need

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