Junior Hrafn Traustason currently competes for Oakland University, a swim and dive team in their second year as members of the Horizon League. Pete Hovland is the head coach at Oakland University, assisted by Shawn Kornoelje, Katie Sullivan, Andre Latour, Blaine Dolcetti, and Larry Albright (Diving). Oakland Swimming and Diving is known for their long history of success in the pool, starting in the Division II days. In Division II, Oakland won 20 National Championships between the Men and Women’s teams. After Oakland moved up to Division I, the teams continued their winning tradition, being undefeated at the conference championships 16 years in a row. Oakland University athletes are also known as the Golden Grizzlies. (Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Athletics, 2015)
Background
Hrafn was born to mother Sigríður Ragnarsdóttir and father Trausti Gylfason in 1992. He grew up being a swimmer, and has been competing as long as he can remember.
High School
In high school, Hrafn trained for Klaus Ohk at Flensborgarskólinn í Hafnarfirði. One of Hrafn’s many accomplishments from high school include his qualification for the European National Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands. He also represented Iceland at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Hrafn also earned the honor of being the flag bearer for Iceland at the same competition.
College
2012-2013: Hrafn’s first year at Oakland University was marked by his first individual win at the 2013 Summit League Championships, touching first in the 200-yard breaststroke. He also earned top-8 finishes in the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard IM at the same meet.
2013-2014: In his second year, Hrafn was a member of Oakland’s first Horizon League Championship victory. Individually, he set a new personal best in the 200-yard breaststroke, breaking 2:00.00 for the first time (1:59.66). Hrafn also swam the breaststroke leg of the runner-up 400-yard Medley Relay team.
Hrafn is majoring in Chemistry, and swims in the middle-distance group.
