Hyun Dong Lee '24 Recruiting Profile

My name is Hyun Dong - but people often call me HD as it is easier to pronounce. I started playing water polo in seventh grade when I first came to the U.S for junior boarding school at Eaglebrook. There I played for three years and during my last year I had Coach Russ Yarworth. Coach Russ had just retired from being the head coach at UMASS Amherst and was coaching us instead. Before meeting him I always considered myself a swimmer but through his exciting and excellent coaching I developed a true love for the sport which is why I continue to play it at Deerfield Academy. I am in my 5th year in the sport and decided to try and play in college because I love the sport. I would say that I am a very bright and positive person outside of the pool, but inside of the pool I am very serious. If you ask anyone who knows me they would say that I am a people person - I love being around people.  I care a lot about my teammates and am always there for them through the ups and downs.

Often people around me say that when I am playing water polo I am a very different person. Apparently a serious look comes across my face and I play very aggressively. Although I do play quite aggressively I would say that I know when to turn it on and off. I can be aggressive if the team needs it and can be more careful and passive if that's what the coach wants. A lot of recruits come in as the people who score a lot of goals. Although I do score my fair share of goals I would say my biggest contribution as a player is my ability to assist and my speed when swimming. I was originally and still am a swimmer and this has helped me a lot with water polo. As I am a breaststroker I have a lot of power in my legs and have some strong egg beating. I am also the person who does the swim offs for my school as I go a 22 second 50 free.  I would say that my academics are decent as I attend an academically rigorous school and have about a 90% average.