LUCA SPINNAZOLA

2024 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME

Luca joins fellow South County neighbors Elizabeth & Laura in this year’s class, being one of the greatest swimming names in Rhode Island swimming history. Luca began his career at age six (6) with Rams Swimming Club, followed by Bay & Ocean State Squids, and eventually Bluefish Swim Club. Luca attributes his consistent progress throughout high school and his outstanding senior year to Bluefish Coach Chuck Batchelor. Luca won six Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) State events while swimming for Narragansett High School including 50, 100, & 500 Free events. He also won the 100 Backstroke, breaking the Interscholastic League State Record with time of 49.7 seconds. His state record still stands to this day, and also stands as a University of Rhode Island pool record.

On the USA Swimming circuit Luca competed at Junior Nationals, Nationals, and eventually the Olympic Trials. Luca attended college at the University of Southern California (USC), majoring in engineering, and taking his swimming to new feats. Luca states, “I had a great career swimming at USC, where I made huge improvements under head coach Dave Salo.”   In his sophomore year, Luca broke Olympian and former USC alum Lenny Krayzelburg’s 100- yard Backstroke record leading off the 400-yard Medley Relay in 46.36 seconds, lowering it to 45.13 the following year. During the summer seasons, Luca kept in top shape being a dedicated lifeguard at Narragansett Town Beach. He won top honors in RI State Lifeguard Races in the King Neptune competition (swim, paddle, row). Open Water and US Masters swimmers were wowed a few summers in the Narrow River Swim when the young tall guy Luca from Narraganset and USC came back to win his home open water swim. Finishing his USC swimming career, Luca netted 7 All American Swims at NCAA’s. Following graduating from USC, Luca continued to swim professionally representing the Trojan Swim Club while working as a software Engineer in Los Angeles. In 2017 he qualified for the Italian National Swim Team in the 50 SCM Backstroke and represented Italy at European Short Course Swimming Championships. Luca holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and computer engineering and a master’s degree in computer science. Luca lives in Narragansett and is an entrepreneur focusing on his company Eqoty Labs. Luca’s Mom Judy put it best, “Luca remains a lifelong athlete, and an avid surfer, striking a balanced blend of prowess in both the digital & aquatic worlds.”