Layla Walker '23 Recruiting Profile

I've been swimming since I was six. It has been my life for a really long time but that doesn't make me anymore capable than people who have been swimming for less years than me. The hard work and dedication are the things that will allow me to make my way ahead in swimming.  I stand out from other swimmers because I had spinal fusion surgery and had to take a year off of swimming. This happened because I had scoliosis and needed to prevent my internal organs from being crushed.  I have two titanium rods placed on either side of my spine that cause me not not be able to bend from vertebrate C5 to L3. This makes somethings in swimming more difficult than it would be for other people. But I don't let that stop me. I try my hardest and don't let the restrictions stop me from doing my best.