Christopher Thomas '19 Recruiting Profile

I have learned many things about myself over the past few years and how swimming has made such an impact in my life both in the pool and outside of the pool.  Ive learned that I have to be more patient in school and in the water. Swimming has taught me to be strong academically as I need to work hard and push myself to achieve my goals. Ive earned that swimming is as much physical as mental and what it means to be a part of a team. I always strive to perform at my best level each meet as I do not want to let my team down. Even when I am asked to swim in events that are not my strongest event, I will work hard to do my best as I know the coaches would not ask me to swim if they did not feel I was capable.

Ive learned to manage and balance my rigorous high school coursework taking AP and Honors courses while participating in 20-25 hours of swimming a week year round. I also play Varsity Water Polo for my high school. In college, I hope to be able to continue challenging myself in my classes and work closely alongside my professors to become more skilled in my profession. 

I learned at young age,  that with hard work I am able to overcome any obstacle put in front of me. When I was 10 years old, my family moved from California to the Midwest and then again when I was 13 we moved to Illinois. It took some adjustment to start at a new swim club and school all over again. But I did it and learned so much more about myself through these experiences. I continue daily to build confidence in myself and know that anything is achievable with hard work and dedication.

I am extremely motivated to take on the next challenge in my life and swim at the collegiate level, and in the process, I know I will become a better person.