Vanessa Herrmann '18 Recruiting Profile

I have been swimming since I was 8 yrs old.  My parents were at the pool with my brother and sister and decided I might as well get in the water and learn, too.  I love to swim!  I have tried other sports, but I would rather not be on land to compete.  Competition in the water is where I thrive.  My best stroke is the breaststroke, but over the past 3 years I have grown significantly in the other strokes.  I like to say, "I can swim anything, and compete at it." 

I know what it means to work hard.  I deliver our local newspaper every morning, either before school or practice.  This means that I may be up before 4:00 AM to be at practice by 5:30.  Then, I go to school and practice afterward.  It can make for a long day, but I know it will be worth it in the end.  I work hard in the water, and I like to work with my teammates.  At times it is difficult to find someone to push me, but I have learned to rely on my coach for this.  My grades may not "shine" as others' do, but I have worked very hard for them.  I have earned everything, and continue to strive to be better in the classroom as well as the water.

I am looking forward to my senior year.  My goal is to bring home the state breaststroke title one more time.  I also have the goal to break our school record in the 500 yd Freestyle, even though this isn't my normal race.  I was within 3.5 seconds of it last year, and the record has stood for 7 years.  Next stop is a collegiate swimmer.