Zhanna Ivanick '24 Recruiting Profile

If I was asked today what my personal philosophy is at 16-years-old, I’d answer: I don’t know everything. There will always be more to learn, and everyone has something to teach me.

I believe this for a lot of reasons, but much of it has to do with experiencing the highs and lows of soccer since the age of 5. For example, I was a freshman defensive starter on my high school varsity team; as a sophomore, I spent most of my time on the bench recovering from an injury that was undiagnosed in the era of COVID-19. During that period in sophomore year, I felt like an afterthought, forgotten. But I soon realized that I had gained both self-knowledge and field knowledge from the experience. I also am more motivated, and because of that, I have sought out new mentors. The ones that I’ve met so far - coaches, trainers, and other student athletes - are helping me to propel my recovery forward.

Looking ahead to college, I am determined to keep fighting towards a full recovery and exceptional performance on the field. To do so, I want to develop my abilities and to learn from others who believe in possibilities. I have so many more people to learn from, people I haven't met yet! I want to evolve as a soccer player, as an academic, and as a person. In sum, I want to continue to live my philosophy fully across all fields.