- 2020 Spotlight
Personal Statement
My youtube videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMWpz34zqToJjTOVCgn4O4g/videos
My instagram diving account: katiehensell_diving
My Dive Meets Profile: https://secure.meetcontrol.com/divemeets/system/profile.php?number=52442
I started gymnastics when I was 6 years old, and soon discovered that I'm very competitive and thrive in individual sports settings that force me to excel under pressure. While I loved gymnastics and competed for 5 years, my body grew out of the sport. I still loved pushing myself to be fearless and accomplishing new skills, which led me to diving. My mom found a diving camp at Notre Dame, but wanted to make sure I would enjoy the sport before signing me up. I attended a practice to see what it was about, and I found that I really liked it. The coach, Caiming Xie, told my parents that he saw a lot of potential in me, and advised that not only should I sign up for the camp, but I should start diving for his club immediately. Ever since that day, I feel like I've found a home at that pool and in the sport (even though it turns my hair green and I sweat chlorine).
I went to a small, private middle school with a graduating class size of 36 people, but in high school, my current junior class size is over 500 students. This was a huge transition, but with these many people in my grade, let alone my school, I wanted to make sure I really stood out. Even before classes started, I joined the soccer team. Soon after that, I helped assemble a Mock Trial team (which has been one of the most successful teams in the state the past three years). Up next was my first high school diving season. This brought another highlight to my freshman year, being one of only two people on my Swim and Dive team to qualify for State along with earning the title of team captain by the end of the season. Both my sophomore and junior seasons also saw me be named team caption, and I was a Regionals qualifier both years, and again advanced to State this past year where I finished 18th overall. I like to stay busy, so in the spring I also compete on my school's varsity track and field team as the lead pole vaulter. The latest achievement I was made aware of, out of 484 students in my current senior class, I am the only IB Diploma Candidate who is also a three sport varsity athlete, two sport captain.
Academically, I am on course to obtain an IB diploma after next year, currently hold a 4.17 GPA, and am an officer for my school's National Honor Society chapter. My dream is to become a lawyer, and I am very driven to achieve that goal. As you probably can tell, I consider myself a leader and am someone who likes to seek out challenges both academically and athletically. You'll find that I have an outgoing and team-oriented personality, and I feel like I would be a valuable addition to any swim and dive program. Please feel free to contact me if you'd like to discuss your program!
