Ripley Merritt '24 Recruiting Profile
Video
2021 Spotlight
2021 Highlights 
2022 Highlights Personal Statement
Swimming has been a big part of my life ever since I was young. I started lessons at the age of 3, and then moved to competitive swimming at the age of 6. I have always had a passion for swimming, and it has become clear to me that continuing my career at the collegiate level is my next step. Over the years, swimming has taught me many valuable lessons about life, including the importance of having a positive attitude, working hard, and perseverance.
As a freshman, I earned a spot on the varsity swim team for Homestead High School, and qualified for the IHSAA 2021 State meet, earning points both individually and on relays. As a sophomore and junior, I was able to medal both individually and in relays, establishing new school records my junior year. I also swim for Summit City Aquatics, and have learned the importance of having goals and working hard with the help of my coaches and peers. As an Age Group swimmer, I was able to establish several new meet and Indiana Association records. My continuous motivation comes from seeing the results of my efforts in the pool, as well as the classroom. Along with my commitment to swim, I am fully committed to my academics. I have maintained all As throughout middle school, and am currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA. It is very important to me to find a school that will allow me to be challenged both academically and athletically. I look forward to discussing possible opportunities and discovering the perfect fit for my future swim and academic career.
Athletics
High School Information
- Years w/ Varsity
- 3 years
- 2023 Varsity Team
Individual Awards
- Individually, I placed 4th in the 100 backstroke and 5th in the 100 fly at IHSAA State
Team Awards
- Sectional 2nd Place
- 2022 Varsity Team
Individual Awards
- Freshman Year - At Indiana High School State 2021, placed 6th in 100 Backstroke, 7th in 100 Fly, and 7th in 200 Medley Relay and 400 Free Relay; NISCA All America Interscholastic Swimming Team;, Sophomore Year - 2022 Sectional Champion in 100 Fly; At Indiana High School State 2022, placed 5th in 100 Backstroke, 6th in 100 Fly, 6th in 200 Medley Relay and 13th in 400 Free Relay
Team Awards
- Sectional 2nd Place, 2021-22 Spartan Award
- 2021 Varsity Team
Individual Awards
- Freshman Year - At Indiana High School State 2021, placed 6th in 100Y Backstroke, 7th in 100Y Fly, 5th in 200Y Medley Relay and 7th in 400Y Free Relay; NISCA All America Interscholastic Swimming Team;
Team Awards
- Sectional Chanmps, Fly leg of 200Y Medley Sectional and School Record Breaking Relay
Club Information
- Seasons of Club Experience
- 2 seasons
- 2021 Summit City Aquatics (Bronze)
- I competed in my first Winter Junior National Championships in December of 2021 and was able to get 4 new personal best times in my 100 back, 200 back, 100 fly and 100 free.
- 2020 Summit City Aquatics Club (Bronze)
- I have been swimming for SWAC since 2010 and we merged with another team in 2019 we are now called Summit City Aquatics.
Coach References
- Club Coach
- Coach Chris Knoblauch
Events
- Camp/Event
- 2022 Olympic Development Camp
- 6/06/22 to 6/13/22
- I was invited to attend this camp in California along other like-minded athletes in the beginning of my summer training season. This camp had great coaching staff with both challenging and beneficial practices. Outside of the pool, I learned many aspects of the importance of team culture and had the opportunity to meet many new people. This camp was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish for the rest of my career.
Training
- Swim and Dryland
- 10 years
- I am a year-round club swimmer, and I also swim for a summer swim team, and swim for high school as well.
- Volleyball
- 2 years
- I played volleyball in middle school for our 7th and 8th grade team.
- Weight Training
- 2 years
- As I went into high school, I began to do weight training in the weight room.
Statistics
| Event | 2023 Varsity Team | 2022 Varsity Team | 2021 Varsity Team | 2021 Summit City Aq | 2020 Summit City Aq |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50Y Free | 24.14 | 24.51 | 24.76 | ||
| 50Y Back | 25.77 | ||||
| 100Y Back | 54.21 | 55.87 | 55.52 | 55.15 | 55.39 |
| 100Y Fly | 54.81 | 55.83 | 55.74 | 55.37 | 55.74 |
| 400Y Free Relay (Split) | 52.81 | 52.2 | |||
| 200Y Med Relay (Split) | 24.56 fly | 24.39 fly | |||
| 50M Free | 27.67 | ||||
| 100Y Free | 52.37 | 53.39 | |||
| 100M Back | 1:05.09 | ||||
| 200M Back | 2:22.27 | ||||
| 200Y Back | 1:59.82 | 2:01.84 | |||
| 100Y Breast | 1:07.25 | 1:08.6 | |||
| 200Y Breast | 2:25.71 | 2:28.59 | |||
| 100M Fly | 1:03.67 | ||||
| 200Y Fly | 2:06.71 | 2:05.9 | |||
| 200Y IM | 2:05.41 | 2:06.87 | |||
| 400Y IM | 4:29.19 | 4:32.52 | |||
| 200Y Free | 1:53.86 | ||||
| 500Y Free | 5:09.3 |
Academics
Grades
Test Scores
Academic Accomplishments
Are you in honor classes?
Yes. Freshman Year: Honors English, Honors Biology, Dual Credit Honors Trig/PreCalc; Sophomore Year: Honors English, Dual Credit US History, Dual Credit Spanish, Junior Year: Dual Credit Composition Dual Credit US Government Dual Credit EconomyAre you in AP/IB classes?
Yes. Sophomore Year: AP Calc AB Junior Year: AP Calc BC, AP Environmental ScienceRegistered with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
YesAwards and Activities
- Awards2019-2020- Carolyn Stefanek Award for students who maintained GPA of 11.0 or higher all 3 years at Summit Middle School; 2020-2021 USA Swimming Scholastic All American; 2020-2021 Homestead High School Distinguished Honor Roll both Semesters; 2021- 2022 Homestead High School Honor Roll 1st Semester; Distinguished Honor Roll 2nd Semester; 2022- DECA State qualifier and finalist with Honorable Mention; 2021-2022 USA Swimming Scholastic All American; 2022-2023 National Honors Society; 2022-2023 Beyond the Game WBA Beyond the Game Athletic Leadership Conference; 2023- DECA State Championship International Business Plan and Internationals Qualifier; 2022-2023 Homestead High High School Distinguished Honor Roll
- ActivitiesI am a lifeguard, and help with childcare at the pool. I also coach young swimmers during summer swim through Prep Team and swim lessons. Homestead High School Student Ambassador
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