Derek Long '23 Recruiting Profile

Hello my name is Derek Long and I am a junior at Park Hill South High School in Riverside, MO.  My experiences growing up as the only son of a United States Marine has made me resilient and determined in everything I do.  Through all of the moves, changing schools and changing club swim teams, swimming was always the consistent wherever I was.  Just prior to my 13th birthday I under went brain surgery to remove an Arteriovenous Malformation and still participated in my LSC championship meet that year.  I prefer to swim the longer more grueling events, but love the aspect of racing regardless of stroke or event.  I value academics as much as athletics and challenge myself in the classroom as well.  I understand teamwork in and out of the pool and want to see every team I am a part of succeed to the fullest potential.