Derek Halas '20 Recruiting Profile

As a child what often leads us to a sport that we are passionate about is our siblings, friends or general interests. For me, my health is what lead me to my passion for swimming. When I was a young child, I loved to play outside in my family’s backyard, climbing up and down ladders, crawling through tubes and going down the slides in my own jungle gym castle.

However, my childhood was drastically changed when I was diagnosed with asthma at four years old. Living in New Jersey, the fall and spring seasons were a nightmare for my lungs and sinuses. With high pollen count, falling leaves, and blooming flowers, it was impossible to play outside with a runny nose, watery eyes, and the feeling that I couldn’t catch my breath. Missing being active outside, my parents and I wanted to find an indoor sport that would strengthen my lung capacity while keeping healthy and maintaining good shape. It was swimming that best fit these criteria. Immediately, I began to notice my improved symptoms and was able to stay active and it was through this health focused choice that I found my passion for swimming.

When I was eight years old, my commitment to this new-found passion was tested by my family’s move from New Jersey to California. I would have to grow accustomed to new weather conditions and potential allergens, as well as swim in this new environment. Rather than swimming inside like I did in New Jersey, I would have to swim outside where different plants and allergens would affect my asthma. However, my passion for swimming motivated me to push through these environmental obstacles and continue to swim. I was surprised to find that although I was exposed to a new environment, swimming allowed me to improve my lung capacity. My passion for the sport coupled with my medical improvements drove me to join a year-round team, where my passion for swimming did not have to be on hold when the summer was over. When I first started swimming, I could not hold my breath for more than one complete stroke cycle, now I am able to go without a breath for fifty yards. I know my lungs will not be weakened by my environment. I now am a long-distance swimmer capable of swimming for miles straight. My life challenge dealing with asthma has made me into the person I am for persevering through my medical condition to find a lifetime passion in swimming.