Grace Dixson '21 Recruiting Profile

I was a  competitive gymnast for nearly my whole life.   From the time I was little, I was working out for hours in the gym, performing in front of coaches and judges, learning how to balance school work, gym, and extra curricular activities.  I was a successful gymnast, earning many trophies, medals,  and titles such as,  "all- around state champion."  I was also fortunate to experience success in all 4 of the events a gymnast competes in, something not often seen in JO level gymnasts.  I loved competing and my goal from an early age, was to compete in gymnastics at the college level.   Unfortunately, a back injury (spondy) that required recovery 24 hours a day in a brace, was quickly followed by a diagnosis of FAI in both hips.  The impingements soon led to debilitating pain that required surgery.  

When I finally accepted the fact that surgery was unavoidable, I became focused on having the surgery done on both hips at the same time, to shorten my recovery time and not interfere with my meet season.  After convincing my parents to fly 1/2 across the U.S to 1 of only 3 surgeons able to perform the bilateral surgery,  I made it back home working my way from wheel chair to crutches and finally progressing to the grueling stage of rehabilitation.   After months of physical therapy,  yet not near a full recovery,  I pushed myself  back to the gym doing everything I possibly could to prepare my skills and routines for the upcoming level 10 season.    Nevertheless, hours in the gym of repetitive motion, muscle strain, and weight-bearing activities, as I was never one to give less than 100%, frustratingly led to 1 step forward and 2 steps back.   After my 3rd trip back to California and upon the advice from my surgeon, I made one of the most difficult decisions I had ever had to make.  I needed to give my body time to rest, to completely heal, if I ever wanted a future as an athlete again. 

I cried, my parents cried, and  I reluctantly hung up my leo, but I knew it would not be for long.   I started back with light work outs  at home, swimming, etc.,  keeping my body conditioned.  In November of 2019,  I traded my leotard for a swimsuit and took my place on the high school dive team.  I quickly found a passion for the sport as I craved more coaching and training time.  I wanted to explore all the possibilities within the sport.  I reached out to club dive team in the area,  but due to boundary restrictions, I was not allowed to train or compete with the team.  While disappointed, as I wanted to train at a higher level, I sat my sights on giving 110% in and out of the water, to become the best diver I could  with the training I was provided.   I also continued  strength training, fueling my body with a healthy diet, watching training videos of dives, and soaking up all the information I possibly could.  

As I think about what sets me apart from other recruits, I think about my experiences that have shaped me into the athlete I am.  I have the drive and the desire to push beyond what might have been my personal best the day before, to strive for a better personal best for tomorrow.  I have the experience, air awareness and skills of a gymnast at the top of the JO level while being  focused, strong and driven.  Ultimately my gymnastics career might not have taken me down the path I had planned, but it paved the way for me; helped prepare the foundation on which I continue to build.  I learned from an early age what discipline, a strong work ethic and drive can do for an athlete in any sport.  These are the principles I live by everyday, in everything I do.  From the 3.9 grade point average I have carried throughout high school, to my continued pursuit of a young girl's dream,  I have shown my resilience, determination and grit.  

There is no question that I would be a great asset as a team member of a collegiate dive team.  My skills and accomplishments in this sport continue to develop and progress, yet I have only had access to minimal training and 2 short seasons.   My potential has merely scratched the surface of all I am capable of achieving,  given the opportunity.