Emma Melley '21 Recruiting Profile

I began competitive swimming while in the 6^th grade after being encouraged to do so by the YMCA swim instructors and because swimming was more fun than sitting on the couch at home. Following the opening of a community pool that same year, I helped raise funds for coaching staff and pool time so that our school could have a varsity team, our school system does not have a pool.  I was one of the founding members of our team.  I am proud of how much this team has grown, this year we were the Orange County Division II League Champions.  I enjoy working with our coach to develop younger swimmers because I like to see these individuals go from beginner swimmers to those who achieve a championship qualifications. 

My time on this team is marked with successes and motivating failures.  In my freshman year, I was the first swimmer on my team to finish in the top 8 of any event at our divisional championship meet; a season ending knee injury in 8^th grade motivated this accomplishment. My joy in qualifying for the NYSPHSAA Championships and becoming an Orange County Champion  during my sophomore year was diminished by our 200 medley relay team missing the NYSPHSAA qualification time by 0.03 seconds.  This was my motivation for this year,  to rally and work with my teammates so that we can achieve this goal because I want our school to be represented at the NYSPHSAA Championship meet by many members of our team.  I am so happy that we have achieved this goal this year.

I believe that academic success in high school and college is a key component of my life after college, so I am looking for a program that is a good athletic and academic fit. I believe that my greatest strength is the ability to rally people to perform,  in the classroom and in the pool.