Jakota Grossman '21 Recruiting Profile

Profile: Jakota J Grossman

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 170 lbs.

Birthdate: January 7, 2002

Background

I wasn’t always a swimmer. Before finding my way to the pool, I tried just about every other sport: baseball, football, basketball, downhill skiing, tennis…even soccer. I was pretty much terrible at all of them. Then, I decided I wanted to SCUBA dive. But my parents told me that I had to learn how to swim first. Go figure.

I took my first swimming lesson in November of 2015. My teacher was a retired high school swim coach. She thought I had the potential to be a good swimmer so she recommended that I try USA club swimming. I did and I fell in love with swimming my first day at club. At 6’3” and 170 pounds, maybe swimming was the best sport for me all the time.

Progress

I have only been swimming for a little more than three years. But I have done well enough to have made the varsity squad as a high school freshman and again as a high school sophomore and junior. As a sophomore, I qualified for the Arizona State High School Championships in the 100 Backstroke. Just before the tournament, I asked my high school athletic director, Jennifer Lynn, if she had any advice. She thought a minute and then said, “Yeah, I have advice… don’t suck!”

While I didn’t win my event or perform as well as I wanted, I didn’t suck either. In fact, I did well enough to qualify for the state finals. My athletic director was pleased. I made it to the state finals and I also earned a Varsity Letter.

I continue to train, improve, and swim year-round with my coach, Jeff Commings. There I am also trained by Geoff Glaser. Between my freshman and sophomore years, I improved my times by about 7 seconds in the 100 freestyle and 9 seconds in the 100 backstroke. I continue to work on improving my times and being a great team mate.

Strokes

Although right now my strongest times continue to be in the backstroke and freestyle events, my coach continues to work with me on fly and IM. I am also starting to swim relay, an event that’s important to me because it offers the best opportunity to experience the thrill of true team success. The feeling of being a part of a team is important to me.

Academics

Academics are important to me, too. My primary academic interests involve philosophy, science (including marine biology and physics), psychology and writing/fine art. I am looking for a university or college that leads to ongoing learning after I complete my bachelor’s degree. Right now, I attend St. Augustine in Tucson, Arizona, a highly rated and academically rigorous college preparatory school.

Leadership and Service

In my “spare time” I have volunteered at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum as the youngest volunteer to ever serve as a hands-on aquatic interpreter at the Stingray Touch exhibit. I also was asked to be a KinderBuddy at my middle school and to mentor younger students who are at-risk. I volunteer for other community organizations through my school.

Swimming Internship

I have also been awarded the opportunity to work as an Interning Junior Coach at the TJCC. I am the first to be awarded an internship by the club. I work with younger swimmers, helping them with their drills, technique, and serving as the club videographer. I am not only a dedicated swimmer, I am also a serious student of the sport.

Goals

After high school, I want to continue swimming and competing in college, and for as long as I can after college. I want to be a great teammate, someone that my teammates and coaches think of as a leader and role model. I want to add to the tradition and legacy of whatever school I attend.

Thank you

Please look over the rest of my profile on the NCSA website and then contact me with any questions or additional information you might want. I am thankful for the opportunity to visit with all university and college coaches as well as swimmers at every level.