Abigail Han '24 Recruiting Profile

Being a competitive swimmer since the age of 7 has shaped me in profound ways, both in the water and out, both physically and mentally.  It has taught me not only how to set goals but how to work hard, have the grit and persevere in order to achieve them.  As a student athlete, pursuing a high standard of excellence on both fronts requires maturing quickly in time management, prioritizing, and little sleep! I've also learned how invaluable it is to have the support and be supportive of each member on the team. We all have good days and bad days, and we all know the thrill of victory, the heartbreak of failure, and the frustration of  feeling like you'll never drop time. We've all experienced set backs as simple as a cold that took you out of practice for a week and you have to make up for the lost time. Our families are a tremendous source of that support too. My two younger brothers have autism and I know it's challenging for them to sit through a swim meet. And yet there they are cheering for me at almost every  meet,  traveling with me for the away meets (they love the hotels), etc. I had the joy of cheering for my brother as he swam in the Special Olympics this year!

There is one story that comes to mind that depicts why I love competitive swimming and  how it has shaped me to pursue becoming better in and out of the water.  One time after a meet where I  had just swam 3 personal best times,  my dad asked me, “Abby, do you love competing?”  I said “Yes.” My dad thought that he knew why I loved to compete. He thought it was  just because I love winning.  But this is what I told him and why I love competing: “When I get up on the block to race,  I look around and see the characteristics that competing brings out of people. [Competing] takes you to a place that brings out the best of what people have to offer. When you  know`that you're trying your best, surrounded by other people who are also trying their best, it impacts you. It's more than winning. You and the other person are pushing each other to be the best version of yourself/themselves.”