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- Sample Video
Personal Statement
Hi coaches,
I found competitive swimming when I was 8 years old. I started with a local school team and when I was 10 years old I switched to a USA competitive team, the York YMCA, where I have been ever since. I have spent years learning the best ways to be successful in school and in the process, I have learned that swimming helps me do that. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment after the hard practices. Swimming has been a big part of my life up to this point and I want that to continue and to improve in the sport through my college years.
Being apart of a team where there is no limit to potential and a positive and encouraging coaching staff are important to me. I have been very fortunate to have been exposed not only to a culture of excellence with my USA team coach, John Nelson, but also to a positive team environment. I found out how important a positive team environment is when after years of continued improvement in my strokes and achieving 2 cuts for YMCA Nationals in SCY and LCM during the Spring and Summer of 2018 I hit a rough patch. In late November 2018 I found out I had mono. I had no energy, my muscles hurt, and I was angry and sad my body could not do what I was training for and wanted it to do. I adjusted my practices but didn't stop swimming completely or miss more than 2 days of school. l never wanted to stop training because as much as my body couldn't keep up with the rigorous practices, I love being in the water and with my team. My winter 2019 SCY season was a frustrating step backwards in times but I didn't give up and my parents, teammates and coaches supported me and by the end of March 2019 I was starting to feel like myself again in and out of the pool. During this time I was reminded about the importance of patience, tenacity, and never giving up. The Summer 2019 LCM season was a chance to start again and it was a good step in the right direction with several new personal bests and qualifying and attending YMCA LCM Nationals again. The start of the 2020 SCY season was my strongest yet with more personal bests and I was excited to see where the 2020 SCY season would take me. Unfortunately, sinus surgery and COVID-19 had other plans for the season.
I know the work ethic and determination it takes to be a student athlete on a high-level club team and the importance of rising above the challenges that will come up in life. I also realize how I react to those challenges is often just as important. If you are looking for a team member who will bring a positive attitude, a willingness to put in the hard work in and out of the pool, and a student who has learned how to be successful and overcome learning challenges along the way, that is me. Thanks for taking the time to read a little about me. I look forward to hearing from you and learning about your school and swim team.
Sydney Welker
Class of 2021
