Austin Lawson '18 Recruiting Profile

I was 7 years old when I was first introduced to competitive summer swimming. Following in my two older sisters footsteps, I competed in the Prince Mont, Maryland summer swimming league for the "Templehills Dolphins" every summer for 6 years.

Spending every weekday morning from about 7 to 10:30am practicing in a cold outdoor pool and every evening from 6 to 9pm. I came to realize at young age that hard work preparation, pain and determination were all key factors in the attainment of success. Winning 1st divisional & regional champs almost every year.

In between training and competing, I was always at the pool, swimming, laughing, playing and developing the strong passion for the sport that I still have today. While creating what came to be many of my wonderful childhood memories.

In 2013 my family made the decision to move from Templehills Maryland to "Longview Texas?" This was a major cultural change in my life, coming from a place where plenty of African Americans competitively swam. To a region where most don't even know how to swim, or even have the desire to. Being the only African American on the swim team, I think it's safe to say I didn't fit in with the rest of my demographic and was an outcast among my peers for a while. 

In the 8th grade, I was introduced to my high school and club swim Coach Daniel Gonzalez. A very humours Coach who believes in hard work, perseverance and most of all swimming fast.

In my 3 years of high school, training in a 6 lane SCY pool with only a garage door for ventilation. I have managed to become "Team captain", make "1st team All Region" 3 years in a row and have broken 3 school records while maintaining a 3.7 overall GPA in "AP Honors" classes. 

Remaining humble, I train everyday before and after school working to achive my many goals that my coach and I have set for me. The main one being my dream to compete at the highest and most competitive collegiate level.  

"The difference between me and any other athlete?" I give a fanatic effort and I don't stop until the goal is surpassed further than predicted, I am never satisfied with success and I am team player that will motivate others around me to do the extraordinary.