Zachary Hannah '22 Recruiting Profile

Why did I choose swimming? What makes it different from all other sports? Why do I feel I can be different from other swimmers? All questions that have been asked when I decided to pursue swimming at a collegiate level.

Due to my competitive nature at the age of seven, I was encouraged by family friends who were on a local swim team to give swimming a try. After my first swim meet, I felt the exhilaration and drive, and I knew then I wanted to continue to challenge myself to become better. I truly have a competitive and driven mindset that motivates me to want to do better, not only for me, but for my team. The dedication, values, and morals instilled by my parents and grandparents have influenced this part of me.

I am a member of my high school swim team, Rehobeth Rebels, Rehobeth, Alabama as well as a club team, Troy Sharks, in Troy, Alabama. While maintaining a 4.19 grade point average taking honors classes and college dual enrollment courses, I also devote hours of practice each week to swimming. My parents and I travel an hour one way to train at least 4 days out of the week.  Growing up I have always played multiple sports. Now that I am in high school, my coaches keep telling me that I need to select one sport to focus my time on, but I enjoy swimming and playing baseball.  My heart is definitely into swimming and love free and butterfly strokes, but I do break from January to April to devote that time to being a left handed pitcher and center fielder in baseball. Participating in these athletics has taught me how to manage my time, ability to work well with others, develop responsibility, strengthen my work ethic, and establish grit. I believe hard work is key to success, and I contribute much of my success to my teammates training around me, along with support and guidance from my coaches. I am committed to continuing these successes at the college level by putting in the work at practice and swim meets.

In addition to my desire to swim competitively at the college level, I am looking for a school that will provide a challenging academic environment. I am aware balancing athletics with a rigorous academic path will be challenging, but I feel with the right school choice and a network of coaches supporting me, I will be successful in meeting my goals. Finding a college that is a good fit for me, challenging me academically, while providing the assistance that will help me be a successful student-athlete it was am I hoping to find.