Salem Howes '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Salem Howes and I am from Sacramento, California. My sports journey began with swim team at five years old, by age nine I decided to give diving a try and fell in love with the sport immediately. During my first diving season in 2014, I tried to juggle concurrent swim and dive teams but realized to excel I needed to be committed to one. In 2015 my path was paved to fully focus on competitive diving, I was USA Diving Zone E first place champion on 1M and 3M. My DD was not the highest, but the technique on my voluntaries was spot on which allowed me to secure first place. This taught me that great diving technique was going to be my basis for future success.

I started as a young diver and soon learned that the early years came easy but to excel as I grew older and as my body changed, I had to have patience and make a commitment to work hard. My most challenging year was my first season in the 14-15 age group when my body changed but most of my competition's had not.  I humbly made it through the season, my first time in three years not qualifying for USA Nationals. I came to the realization that this was my personal quest and that my failures only made me stronger and more determined to improve.   

 My second year in the 14-15 age group was also challenging, I had many moments of reflection, challenges, and successes. I secured 3^rd place at USA diving regionals on both 1M and 3M. During my first high school diving season, as a freshman, I broke the preexisting high school dive record, continuing to break my own record over the year. Additionally, I qualified as a freshman for the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships, where I placed 17^th in the State of California. 

 This year when COVID-19 came to surface, my normal existence of practicing 5-6 days a week came to an abrupt halt. I know this challenging time will soon pass but it has taught me a most valuable life lesson, to always appreciate what I have and never take anything for granted. 

 My hope is that my commitment to diving will enable me to secure a position on a Division I college diving team. I am confident I will be an amazing addition to any college team, I excel when interacting with others who have the same goals and work ethic as myself. I am also able to mesh with a variety of personalities as I naturally cooperate very well with teammates and coaches. I am a people pleaser by nature, this makes me the ideal athlete, as my coach, you will never be disappointed by my commitment.

 I am very organized and hardworking and able to efficiently balance school, diving, and my personal life. I have maintained a 3.9 GPA in high school while participating in a very competitive honors HISP (humanities and international studies) program. Being well rounded with the ability to organize all of my activities has prepared me for success in college and beyond. I am looking forward to attending a college that helps guide me down a path to my bright future, I am very excited about my opportunities.