Konnor Kolberg '21 Recruiting Profile

Competitive swimming has been a passion of mine since the moment I joined my club team.  I had just moved from Arizona to Alaska, and after much coercing by my parents who wanted a sport that would keep me busy through the winter,  at 10 I joined the Northern Lights Swim Club.  Though I was not even proficient at the four strokes when I started, I worked hard and within 5 months achieved my first state age group qualifying times.  From there, attending higher level meets became my mission,  and I succeeded by attending Northwest Age Group Champs and Western Zone Age Group Champs as a member of the Alaska All Star Zone Team for 3 years in a row.

During my freshman year of high school, I encountered my greatest challenge yet.  Immediately after returning from Zones, during practice after the first meet of the season, I broke my hand.  I was casted to my elbow, so could not swim, but still I persevered, training in every way suggested by my coach to keep myself meet ready in hopes of making HS State despite the grim outlook.  Miraculously, the week prior to Conference, my cast was removed and I was able to get back in the water.   Somehow, I managed to post my best 50 Free time ever,  and pulled off making it to State in that event as well as in 2 relays which were 2nd and 4th place finishers. 

Through constantly striving to reach greater goals, and pushing through adversity, I have learned the dedication and work ethic necessary to succeed in college, both as an athlete and a student.  I plan to continue pushing through and further both my swimming career and academics as I know these are the keys to help me reach my ultimate goals in life of being a happy, healthy, and productive member of society.