Jaden Mendoza '21 Recruiting Profile

When I was younger, I was lucky enough to experience a variety of sports.  I took an interest in team-based sports and soon began to realize the potential I have in individualized sports.  I focused my interests in swimming and track & field.

The athletes who performed in the Olympics are what inspired me to undertake an individualized sporting career.  I began to swim and run in track & field competitively at the age of 8 years old.

There's something about swimming that makes me love the sport.  To swim 2-3 hours a day, back and forth, staring at a black line at the bottom of the pool can be torture for some people.  When I swim, it feels like I am flying on top of the water, as if I have some form of super power.  Honestly, there is no better feeling than finishing out a hard practice, or the second you touch the wall at a swim meet and seeing a new personal best time, or even winning a heat!  Then, I think back when I was sore and exhausted from all the countless hours of training and realize it's all worth it!

I am also hooked on swimming because of my teammates, coaches and the competitors that make it fun.  Teammates encourage you to get through the last set of a tough practice, coaches instill a strong mind set and competitors motivate you to do better each time.  Overall, the camaraderie and friendships that I have gained from this sport not only helped me to become a better athlete but a well-rounded individual.

My experience as an athlete, especially through swimming has allowed me to develop skills that continue to help me throughout my life such as discipline, persistence, responsibility and a strong work ethic.  Swimming has pushed both my body and mind beyond its limits.  It has made me stronger and more resilient to tackle any obstacle life has in store for me.  Being a student-athlete at a distinguished university is a goal I've been working towards.  It is my dream to receive the opportunity to swim at the highest level and attain a university degree at the same time.