Matthew Stanker '23 Recruiting Profile

I've been a lover of sports for as long as I can remember. I've played soccer since I was 4 years old and have played on the same travel team with my teammates since we were about years old.  For several years I also played baseball for my local Little League. I began swimming when I was 7 for my summer swim team, The Elmer Sharks, and I grew to love my team and the sport. The following year, I joined The Greater Philadelphia Aquatic Club and I've continued to swim there for the past 9 years. Working with the different coaches at my summer and club teams has prepared me for swimming at a higher level and has given me an opportunity to compete against other swimmers from all over the Middle Atlantic region.  While I have swam most events, I've come to love the Butterfly, IM, and Free style events swimming mostly mid-distance. The last few years, especially during the Covid 19 pandemic, most of our everyday activities were significantly altered however because I was able to be in the pool, I had a positive outlet where I could focus on my training and it also helped me become stronger mentally and physically.  When my friends were home playing video games and doing other typical teenage stuff, I was putting time in the pool with my team so that we would be ready to compete both individually and as a team when we were able to resume our competitions. Now that I am a rising Senior, I have taken the opportunity to be a role model and leader for the younger swimmers on my team, especially on my summer team.  I have volunteered to teach swim lessons, help younger swimmers during meets, and show them that with hard work you can reach your goals. I've continued to play with my soccer team although I'm not able to train as much with them due to my swim schedule but remaining on that team with my friends has meant a lot to me over the years. There is no better feeling than being part of a team and experiencing all of the things that come with it such as winning together, losing together, training together, and feeling like you have a whole separate family outside of your actual one. I've maintained decent grades through high school, I have many hobbies that include hunting, fishing, listening to music,  and spending time with my family and friends. I consider myself to be a well rounded student and person, a good teammate, and a coachable athlete!