Ashley Lund '22 Recruiting Profile

My love for swimming began when I was young.  Before I could walk, my parents had me in the water and I couldn’t get enough.  Growing up, I was enrolled in the community swim club where I had my first taste of competition and I loved it!  Being six years old on the deck surrounded by kids who were a lot faster than me, made me want to improve my swimming, and take my new skills to the next level.  

 After many years of practices and following the instruction from my coaches, I made it all the way to the State meet then Zones, USA Sectionals and USA Futures meets. I have received All Conference and All State recognition in the 50 and 100 Freestyle. I was within hundredths of a second from making a JR. Nationals cut at the Division 1 High School State meet in Fall 2019.  Although it was disappointing to not make that cut, my hunger for it accelerated.  It challenged me mentally and physically, but I felt prepared to attain this goal at the club state meet in Spring 2020. This time it was put on hold due to Covid-19 as the meet was cancelled. My drive to attain it is now stronger than ever.  

Being part of my high school’s swim and dive team is fulfilling and is an exciting and important part of my life. Throughout my freshman and sophomore seasons, I have learned what it means to be on a highly competitive team. Along with my teammates, we became conference champions in 2019 and took 4th place at the Division 1 state meet as a small state team. In addition, I anchored our two hundred medley relay and we broke the state record twice during that same meet. Through this I have learned that to be a good teammate goes beyond scoring points for the team. Although that is part of my contribution, I found that being a cheerleader for my teammates is just as important as scoring points for them.  I love the team atmosphere. I love the traditions of my team.  I love being there for each other through wins and losses both on and off the deck.  I believe my positive attitude, grit, and leadership skills have helped create strong, personal connections with my teammates.  These strengths are some of my best, and are a good addition to my high school team. 

The relationship I have with my high school swim coach is just as important as the one that I have with my teammates.  Through my coach I have learned what it means to have grit during the tough times. I love learning from my coaches as well, and am always trying to improve my skill, valuing any feedback I receive. I thrive on feedback.  It makes me better.  My relationship with my coach is one I value and trust.  She pushes me to do my best at all times both in and out of the pool.  I respect her and hope to find the same values that she demonstrates as a coach in my future swim coach. 

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire” is a quote that hangs on my wall.  I am looking for a school that sets my soul on fire and helps me reach my fullest potential as a student athlete, and where I can contribute all that I am as a student athlete. Although I have not defined my major yet, I plan to attend a school where the academic programs are as vigorous as their swim program.  Through it all, my sense of determination and highly competitive spirit have come from the many years of following that black line at the bottom of the pool. And I am confident that I want to be a contributor to my team, and that team will benefit, in more ways than won/one :)