Dylan Martin '19 Recruiting Profile

Personal Statement

Dylan Martin

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Becoming a swimmer was never my plan. My swimming path had lots of bumps and hills before I discovered I was actually really good at competing. My childhood involved me growing into a 6’5 body which was never an easy task for me. Still today, people I meet always ask if I am football player or a basketball player. Yes, I am, but I am also a swimmer I tell them. Next words I always hear, “A swimmer?” Knowing this, I am always prepared to share my story. Growing up, I was a really good baseball, basketball, and football player. However, swimming was hanging at the local pool over the summer with my friends. No one, not even myself saw me as a competitive swimmer because I did not have the look or have the build of a swimmer. This all changed during the summer of 2015! I was playing AAU basketball and injured my knee bad enough to need surgery. After my surgery, I was walking the next day without crutches and was excited about how fast I was recovering. My next doctor visit I tell them about my fast recovery, however, the doctors did not care.  They informed me I still needed physical therapy for the next six weeks.  The doctors set up swimming in a lap pool and lots of low impact exercise for me, for three days a week. I am now realizing I am not getting back to my basketball team. I felt so defeated, but I agreed anyway and started swimming. I continued to swim right up till my first day in high school. Considering I was actually enjoying swimming, I decided to join the ninth grade swim team. In trying to sign up, I found out Oroville did not have a swim team. There were four other kids wanting to swim as well so they allowed us to swim at another school. This turned out to be one of my best decisions I could make. My first ever season in swimming, I knew I had a lot to learn. Even though I could not dive off of the platform and had to dive off the side wall, I still caught up and beat a lot of experienced swimmers. My “big self” had a talent in competitive swimming and I wanted to learn more. By the end of my first year I still could not breathe correctly, turn correctly, or have a great stroke, but I still placed in my events.  I was also swimming at varsity level and I lettered my first year ever swimming!  When I started my tenth grade year, our school found a teacher that would coach our team, therefore, Oroville Tigers was our new school swim team. This year, I began to make times that allow me to compete on more competitive levels. Our relay team qualified for masters this year. We did not place, but we were still winners just making it to such a great event. Once my junior year approached I could not wait for swimming. It was now basketball and swimming were both my sports I could not wait for. I ended up with qualifying times in my 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and my relays. I qualified in masters in my 50 free, 100 free and my relay. I ended up with 14th place in my 100 free. Now I can say I am truly passionate about swimming. I am excited about my future and an opportunity to swim for a college team. I know I still have a lot to learn about this sport. I have a lot of room for improvements in my dive, my stroke, my breathing, and my turn. I am joining my first AAU swim team this 2018 summer in Paradise CA. I have met a coach that wants to help teach me breathing patterns, and lots of other methods to improve my skills. This will be my senior year and chance to give 150% so I can win at masters.  I invite everyone to come and watch the Oroville Tigers swim. You will get a chance to witness a lot of heart and soul in all of us! I will have schedules ready for those who want to come and watch!