Olivia Graham '12 Recruiting Profile

My desire to swim began when I was in 6th grade with Montclair Red Hawks Club at Montclair State university. I swam for the Red Hawks up until I was in 8th grade. After 8th grade I decided to take my athletic ability to the next level and Join Montclair Ymca Dolphins. Once I began practicing with them I noticed my times improving and I was beginning to find my best events. I found the 50,100 and 200 yard freestyle to be my favorites. I am now a Junior in high school and I am 5'9 with a weight of 140 lbs. I now go a 25.08 in my 50 freestyle and a 55.23 in my 100 yard freestyle. When I was a freshman I never thought my times would improve as much as they have. I have not only impressed my coaches and parents but also myself with my desire to be an accomplished athlete. For me to swim at a college level would allow me to accomplish one of my future goals. I am willing to push myself as hard as I possibly can, and I am willing to compete at the highest level that is realistic for me. I am a really easy going person and enjoy to be anywhere where I can make friends, go to school and swim. I have no preferences to where I am, but I do prefer mid size to larger schools that are also co-ed. I am a hard working student, which comes before swimming, but I have not yet figured out what I want to major in. I am a hard working athlete and I am willing to push myself as hard as I need to, to be the best that I can be. I can safely say I am a great motivator for my fellow team mates. I know that when I jump into the water I am not only there for myself, but to help out another team mate because I do enjoy seeing everyone succeed. I have set high goals for myself and that is one of my best qualities. In addition to my club and high school swimming I also had a desire to work on a beach patrol as a life guard down in Avalon New jersey. I had to try out to become a lifeguard. In a 45 degree open water swim I placed 3rd out of 45 fellow competitors. I spent half of my summer, after summer club training, on the beach. As a freshmen, I made my first State cut in the 50 yard freestyle. Since then I have gone on to become a National team member and I also won the 50 yard freestyle and took 4th in the 100 yard freestyle at my high school's counties meet. During the winter I have an important task of keeping up with club team swimming, high school swimming and school work. I can safely say I have been able to balance all three.