Brayden Szotko '26 Recruiting Profile

I have been committed to swimming for many years now. My hard work and determination has helped me to grow and become a better swimmer. My hard work along with inspiration and determination has lead me to getting the honor of being Team Captain. My goal as Team Captain is to inspire everyone to do their best and give it their all every day. My favorite quote is from the one and only Michael Phelps when he's explaining that getting a little out of a bad day is so much better than getting none. "If I'm going to go to practice and get 10% 20% 30% out of that day, Its better than getting zero." What most people don't understand is that swimming requires just as much mental strength as it does physical strength. If all you had to offer that day was 30% and you gave it that 30%, then you gave it 100%. Commitment is key. To show up and give it your all every day is draining, but it's so worth it when you get to race time. The rush that you get right before your race, your heart beating, you're visualizing your race, planning out your every move. How many dolphin kicks are you going to take off each wall? How many breaths are you going to take throughout the race? What is your stroke rate going to be? There's absolutely nothing better. That's what makes swimming so desirable for me.