Kristen Stalder '19 Recruiting Profile

 I have been swimming since I was four years old - I immediately fell in love with the challenge that the sport holds. Academically,  my goal is to get a bachelor's degree or higher under a math/science field, possibly an engineering degree. I am very strong & independent;  I have overcome numerous  medical set backs over many years but I have never let it hold me back and I always come back to swimming. Several years ago, my  doctors recommended that I stop swimming and instead suggested that I participate in more "upright" exercises/sports. But I could never do that because swimming is my passion & an intricate part of my identity. These   challenges have driven me even harder to achieve my goals in swimming over the past two years. Swimming has also helped me realize my strong sense of perseverance and endurance thoughout the medical challenges of the last several years.