Aidan Russo '29 Recruiting Profile

Becoming a student-athlete has helped me develop good time management skills, leadership qualities, and a determined mindset. Furthermore, juggling school, music, Where Everyone Belongs (WEB mentor incoming sixth graders), Associated Student Body (ASB), and swimming has led me to become the best, most efficient version of myself, resulting in a 4.0 GPA throughout middle school. 

Over the last 3 years, I have led my school's ASB as President, Schools Site Council, and Vice President. I have participated in our school's financial matters including approving items the school or teachers request to buy. Additionally, I organized and led school rallies, dances, and fundraisers. Before each event, I would give ideas, and volunteer my time to help make the events happen. This shows how responsible, trustworthy, and hardworking I am.

My participation in ASB taught me that as a leader, you mostly work in the background. For example, others rarely see the hard work that goes into each event, but that’s what matters. In other words, what you do when no one is watching is what counts. Furthermore, as a swimmer, you are so dedicated and committed to the sport. People outside the sport don’t understand the time and effort you put into practice daily. Swimming has taught me to become more self-disciplined at working towards goals and time cuts. I’m an incoming 8th grader training hard to achieve one of my goals of swimming for a school where I can pursue my academic and athletic goals.

Every semester in middle school so far I’ve been awarded a 4.0 GPA certificate for achieving honor roll for Outstanding Participation and Citizenship on top of excellent grades. I was selected for the student of the month at my school, in addition to receiving two Mamba Mentality awards for determination and dedication inside and outside of school. 

In addition to my excellent grades, I was recently selected to represent my LSC at the Western Zone DEI Camp. It was such an inspiring experience and has motivated me to work harder than everyone else, so I can have more opportunities like that. I was fortunate enough to go on an Olympic year since I was able to watch the Olympic Trials in person!

In addition, I got an opportunity to swim at the University of Michigan for a swim camp. The camp consisted of two; three hours of in-water practices and one hour of dryland. I proved to the coaches that I am such a hard worker. I was dedicated to going the extra mile, by doing all of the optional practices. I was 1 of about 15 people who went to all of the optional in-water practices during the lunch break.

In the short time I have been in this sport, I made significant progress. I have been swimming for less than two years and have qualified for 3 senior cuts in the 100, 200 Free, and 200 IM. I’m an incoming 8th grader striving to get my first sectional cut.

Whether it’s academic or athletic performance, I hope to continue to make achievements in both fields to maximize my potential to achieve my goals both in and out of the pool.