Justin Meyn '19 Recruiting Profile

Why do I love swimming? I love swimming because of the competition, sportsmanship, and because it has given me the opportunity to make so many new friendships. Swimming is definitely a genetic trait in my family, as my Great Grandmother nearly qualified for the Olympics, and my father was an accomplished competitive swimmer for many years. I have been extremely fortunate to be a part of a very successful club and varsity team here in New York. Over the past few years, I have grown to understand the rigors of balancing my training, academics, and my social life which has been an incredible experience that I look to continue in college. 

Having the opportunity to achieve individual goals while contributing to a teams success go hand in hand for me personally. When I first began swimming competitively at the age of 8, I immediately knew I had a love for the sport. Practices were fun but challenging, and I enjoyed meeting new friends. As time passed, I realized that I knew I wanted to get more from the sport and join a team that would give me the opportunity to improve. At the age of 10 I asked my parents if I could join Team Suffolk, located in Dix Hills, New York. Team Suffolk is one of the best club teams in New York State and I knew I was up for the strict requirements of Coach John Pisano who I have the utmost respect for.  My parents gave me full support and dealt with the long drives to practice sometimes twice a day. It was the best decision I have ever made because not only have I improved tremendously as a swimmer, I have also been able to participate in the success of Team Suffolk. When it came time to choose a high school, it was a very easy decision for me. Saint Anthony's High School in South Huntington, NY, was only a mile away from where Team Suffolk trained and they had a great tradition of achieving success at the varsity level. In the three years as a member of the Saint Anthony's boys varsity swim team, we have won two New York State Federation High School Swimming Championships. I also achieved All American status in my sophomore year as part of two relays, one of which currently holds a record in New York.  I will never forget that feeling of anchoring the medley relay and seeing that we had won! 

Given the opportunity to swim in college would allow me to continue doing what I love to do and be able to contribute to the success of my team. I continually challenge myself about my own performance, but I most appreciate the oneness of being on a team. My teammates are like my family and I have been told that you are as only as good as the people you surround yourself with. Swimmers common traits include being dedicated athletes, good students, and leaders both in and out of the pool. I know that swimming in college will allow me the opportunity to grow my family of friends by surrounding myself those who work hard and want to continue to achieve success. 

Swimming can be a challenge in a variety of ways, but it is how you react and adapt to these challenges that helps you grow. Given the time commitment for swimming, I have always had to be on top of things, especially academics. My studies are extremely important so I have to be very disciplined with my time management. I maintain a 3.5 GPA while taking several honors courses, I am a member of the National Honor Society, and I have twice received the Duns Scotus Award for academic excellence at Saint Anthony's. Saint Anthony's is a college preparatory high school, so I am confident that I will be able to maintain the same discipline as a college student athlete. 

I am a very outgoing and social person, so being able to combine athletics, academics, while being exposed to an on campus collegiate lifestyle is extremely exciting. My parents have been very supportive of my college selection efforts, having taken me to visit several different schools this year. The excitement of being on campus while school was in session was better than I could have imagined. While it will be a difficult transition being away from family and friends, I know I will thrive as a student athlete. 

While school and swimming play a major role in my life, it is not the most important thing to me. My father always told me that family comes first, and I could not agree more. I have two awesome parents that support and respect me, a great younger brother Nelson, and of course Allie our Great Dane.  We love to laugh, and enjoy as much time together as we can because there is so little of it given the different schedules. I will miss all of them when away at school, but I know that the new relationships I develop with teammates and classmates will help tremendously.

When I look back after completing four years as a successful college student athlete,  I will have had the same great experience that I am having now. I love the water, I love my teams, I love my teammates, I love the meets, I love learning, and most importantly I love my family. I know that wherever I decide to attend college, and swim, it will be awesome.