Javier Hernandez '19 Recruiting Profile

I have started to practice swimming when I was 10 as a safety measure because of my autism condition. Over these years and several trainers, I have learn how to swim competitively among regular swimmers. My performance has made me fortunate enough to earn a spot in the National Paralympic Swimming Team of Puerto Rico being the first swimmer with intellectual disability to be part of it.  Making the finals on the 100 mts. butterfly at the Paralympics World Championship in Mexico City in Dec 2017 and classified during an International competition in Barranquilla, Colombia last Oct, 2018 to the 2019      Para Pan American games to be held in Lima, Peru, are among by biggest achievements with the National team. These experiences helped me grow as a person, as an athlete, and are leading me to focus my efforts to achieve one of my dreams which is to obtain the classification to the Paralympics Games in Tokyo 2020. 

I am looking for a program that fits for me, not only athletically but also academically for my future Sport Medicine / Physical Education aspirations.  I understand that the self-discipline, determination, responsibility and respect that has made me and all my previous coaches proud, will positively impact your program and I will definitely become a competitive swimmer at college level. To honorably represent my college and my country will be my most important goals!