Antonio Fonseca

              Tony grew up in Greenville section of Smithfield, RI.  He was a late bloomer who, under the tutelage of fellow Bishop Hendricken graduate (’84) and Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame Inductee, coach Paul Mangili, became a Zone Qualifier, an Age Group Champion, a multiple Junior National qualifier, and a New England Senior Champion.  Tony was the first ever Junior National qualifier for the Attleboro Bluefish program.

              At the same time he was experiencing success in USA Swimming, Tony was competing at Bishop Hendricken for RIAHOF Inductee, David Hanson.  A six-time first team Journal Bulletin All State swimmer in the Medley relay (4 years) and the 100 Breaststroke (2 years), Tony graduated in 1996 with school records in both events.  He was the first ever four-time winner of an individual event at the Max Read Invitational in the 100 yard breaststroke.

              Hendricken experienced incredible team success during this same four- year period:  Rhode Island Interscholastic State Champion in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 along with titles at the Max Read Meet.  Hendricken also prevailed at the Watmough Invitational and the Eastern States Championships in 1995 and 1996.  As the team captain, in 1995-1996 Tony shared Hendricken’s outstanding senior swimmer award with fellow classmates Greg Cardillo and Dave Sieczkiewicz.

              Upon high school graduation, Tony attended and competed for Providence College graduate Tim Welsh (’66) at the University of Notre Dame.  Tony continued to improve upon his already successful career by significantly contributing to the Notre Dame program from his freshman through senior years.  Tony scored in the Big East Championhips in an individual event three consecutive years.  The men’s team finished second in the Big East Conference Championhsips in 1999 and 2000, which at the time was the highest team finish in program history,

              Tony continues to contribute to the sport of swimming as a masters participant and as a summer club coach at the Seekonk Swim and Tennis Club.  He lives with his wife Jennifer, and swimmer / daughters Laina and Ambri, in Rumford, RI.