Brody Mckeel '23 Recruiting Profile

My story does not begin like most swimmers. I haven’t been taking swim lessons since I was 5 or competing on a club team my whole life. My swim story began my freshman year. Being a military family we moved several times and I was a wrestler and ran cross country. When we moved to Texas those were not options for me at my school so the search began for a new sport. I have always loved swimming and have been in the water since I was a baby but I was never formally taught. The summer before my Freshman year I met the high school swim captain and he encouraged me to try swimming. During the summer I spent time swimming at our local gym and was recruited by the club coach to try out for the team. I quickly realized that something I enjoyed was something I was actually really good at. I didn’t come out of the gate with the best times but with determination and hard work I readied myself for high school and where it all began. I made it to Regionals and lettered my Freshman year and knew this was a sport I could love and thrive in. I have managed to make Regionals every year and am working hard to get to State this year. This summer I swam for our local Club team and at the TAFF Regional Championships I medaled in every event, went on to State where I placed in the top 20% in every race and medaled in my relay team resulting in an invite to Nationals. Along comes my senior year and at my first meet, I ended up in the emergency room and was diagnosed with a bone marrow edema. I was told my senior swim season was over and that I would have a long recovery. I could have quit and thrown in my cap but my love for the sport wouldn’t allow me to just walk away. As team Captain I knew that wasn’t an option. I continued to show up to practice and meets side by side with the coach taking stats and encouraging my teammates. After I rested for a couple of weeks, I started physical therapy and worked my way back stronger and more determined than ever. My first meet back was our larger TISCA meet where I managed to make finals in every event, laid down my best times times and came home with a second place medal in my breaststroke and also a medal in my relay event. I guess the point I am trying to get out there is I am a fighter, I am determined and I want to win. I swim with incredible determination and dedication and I know I can be a huge asset to any team. There is no stop in me and if you invite me to swim for you, you will never second guess your decision.