Ryker Stokes '19 Recruiting Profile

I will be attending the University of Denver as a Freshman for AY19-20. I would like to thank you all for your interest and contact with me about diving. I'm looking forward to college!

Ryker

5/5/2019

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Personal Highlights:

5th place with a 310.25 at the Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim and Dive League (WMPSSDL) championship

Why I want to compete dive in college

I find diving incredibly entertaining and being a gymnast, flipping comes rather easily for me. The water is also much more forgiving than a floor. Currently a level 9 gymnast, but, more recently, diving has grabbed my attention and my focus has shifted towards the boards rather than the bars.

How I maintain a healthy lifestyle in and out of the pool

As a gymnast, keeping my weight at a certain level helps tremendously with strength skills on rings and almost every apparatus. Staying healthy and lean is a lifestyle and I live on a strict diet with limited carbs, no mainstream unhealthy foods (candy, ice cream, all pastries, essentially anything with more than a few grams of sugar), and a balanced diet to keep my body running as I juggle gymnastics, dive, school, and a social life. Sleep is incredibly important and an aspect of a healthy lifestyle that many student athletes my age overlook. Although I may not always get the 9 hours of sleep recommended by health professionals, I do try my best. Also, as you may have noticed, get plenty of exercise (20 hours of gymnastics a week plus 5-9 hours of dive), not including the four flights of stairs to get to my locker. 

Ties to public service

At Gonzaga, service is indispensable to the high school experience. Ranging from helping the homeless, to sitting down on the side of North Capital Street eating Chipotle with a man who hasn't eaten in two days. I do everything in my power to help those in need. At Gonzaga, I've learned that a smile is contagious and a good laugh makes a good day.