Personal Statement
The most important decision in my life was becoming a swimmer! I started out without much interest in the sport, originally signing up because I was overweight, and my mom was concerned about my future health. In the beginning, I had no commitment to training and no intention of enjoying the sport, but after two years, I qualified for our local Pacific Northwest Championships. While at the meet, I watched other young athletes; they were only a year older than me at the time but going faster than I had ever thought was possible. At that moment, it clicked for me, I began building habits and dedicating myself to the sport to achieve goals that seemed out of reach only years before. Since that first taste of success, I have done everything I can to become the best swimmer I'm capable of being. Through my experiences swimming, as well as external education, I have learned how to properly fuel myself and recover after workouts. Swimming has provided me with experiences and opportunities unlike anything else I have been a part of, that’s why I want to continue my journey as an athlete and a swimmer in college.
My last competitions prior to the Covid-19 shutdown were districts and state. I had an amazing showing at districts winning the 200 free and breaking a district record set in 1987. I also placed second in the 100 free behind senior Matt King, the state record holder. At state, things did not go as planned and I came in ninth for the 200 and fifth for the 100; but from the meet, I learned more about how to properly prepare myself for extended competition. My future goals through high school are to take the 100 and 200 free state records currently held by Matt King- 43.24 and Nathan Adrian- 1:37.17.
