Hayden Shurtz '23 Recruiting Profile

It's that muffled cheer falling away to the starting gun that I live for. I train day in and day out, from what I put into my body, to where I can sneak in extra lane time, to the constant reminder that the clock doesn't lie.

Despite my late start in competitive swim when I began sixth grade (2018), swimming has helped me develop a very strong work ethic, time management skills, leadership abilities, and excellent communication skills that together help me to thrive both in and out of the pool. Swimming is a unique sport where, despite being part of a team, it requires a great deal of mental strength, tenacity, and determination as an individual to be successful. My time at the pool has helped me reinforce concepts like perseverance, diligence, positivity, and humility and apply them in every avenue of my life whether it be in my studies, work, relationships, or even my faith.

Since the pandemic, I have also realized how much more I would like to achieve in the pool and faced what my life might look like in the absence of swim. I now have a  profound sense of appreciation for the potential each day presents us to, as some coaches say, 'MAKE IT COUNT'!

Despite my small physical stature, I am one of the fiercest competitors you may ever meet who welcomes a challenge, and firmly believes 'you get what you give' and invests 110% ALWAYS. You will also find a very genuine individual who truly appreciates the opportunity to do something I love while preparing for my career/future helping others (notably adolescence) work through and overcome mental and cognitive-behavioral health issues.