Van Cates '17 Recruiting Profile

Making winter national and NCSA cuts, being top ten nationally on a relay, and being outstanding contributor for my high school team have been some of the biggest highlights of my swimming career. I have also won multiple age group swimming state championship medals, two of which were gold. Through almost a decade of swimming, I have learned to value three crucial and timeless attributes, among others:  hard work, a positive attitude, and camaraderie amongst my teammates. The work ethic that I have developed has helped me to manage my time and make sacrifices to become a successful student athlete. My learning to have a positive attitude has helped me to look at failures as opportunities to learn. Camaraderie has helped me to realize that we all go farther when we work as a team.

I am looking for a program that will be a good fit for me in both athletics and academics. I value the educational as well as athletic experiences of which I hope to be part at the collegiate level.  I believe that I have the leadership and management skills that it takes to be at the next level.  I am excited and looking forward to competing at the collegiate level!