Charles Gaines '21 Recruiting Profile

My first swimming experience started at the age of 5, not knowing that swimming would become my passion and the pool would become my home away from home. Eleven years later, I am a member of an awesome swim club (Swim Macon) in Macon, Georgia, as well as the high school varsity swim team.

Throughout my swimming career, I have broken many team records; however, my most memorable moment was this past summer at the Senior State Championships in Athens, Georgia. After my races, my coach encouraged me to stick around and swim the timed trials in the 100M butterfly because he was confident that I would continue to drop in my 100M fly. The timed trials was on a Sunday evening, which was the last day of the meet, and the timed trials was after 3 events of the 800 free and 2 events of the 1500 free. My entire swim team stayed to watch me swim my one event of the 100M butterfly. I was so grateful and appreciative that my team stayed to cheer me on. Their kindness was heartfelt and I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends. The encouragement from my team helped me to shave off another second. This is a moment I would never forget.

My swim goal is to swim at the college level, as well as further my academic and professional goal, which is to become a pharmaceutical scientist.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a swimmer is the importance of hard work and the dedication to practicing. I am a good practice swimmer and I am constantly encouraging and motivating my teammates when we are practicing hard sets. Many tears have filled our goggles, but at the end of the day, all our hard work will pay off. I’ve learned to always give your all and be the best that you can be. 

My dedication and commitment to swimming has earned me valuable and long-lasting friendships, and I would love to continue this experience on a collegiate swim team.

With Regards,

Charles Gaines