Holly Gabriel '21 Recruiting Profile

As someone who has been swimming on the same competitive team for eight years, I've learned a lot. I also believe that swimming in general (for the past thirteen years) has greatly influenced who I am today. I've learned about what it takes to be not only a good swimmer, but a good sport. I've learned what it takes to be a leader, and how not only is it about the times you swim, but the attitude you bring when you cheer on your team. Being a leader is one goal I strive every single day to accomplish. I want to be the person who sets the right example, who others look up too, I want to be that teammate that others can trust and depend on. 

Swimming isn't easy, but I love and enjoy every bit of it even when it throws me the hardest obstacles. One of the hardest obstacles that I had to face as a student athlete was my ankle and chest injury.  I sprained my ankle last year and I was unable to swim to my full potential, but I still chose to stay in the pool and pull during practices. However, that over rotation in my chest caused Costochondritis in my rib cage and caused it to slowly break down. This was one of the hardest battles I had to go through as a student-athlete because I had to slowly stop swimming overtime. Although, I do feel it made me stronger both physically and mentally. I was fortunate enough that I had a family that cared and did everything they could to get me into physical training. As some one who never gives up and has a strong drive to get better and succeed I feel I have what it's worth to be on your team.