Casey Nichols '20 Recruiting Profile

I have been a competitive athlete ever since I can remember, playing soccer, running, biking, X-Country skiing, and even being part of the US Junior National Nordic Jumping Team. As a freshman, I was looking for an offseason activity and started crew and I Immediately fell in love with the sport. I love not just the feel of rowing, but the small team camaraderie where we work in tandem physically. I have been on the Varsity 1 boat for one season and want to have the opportunity to row in college, continuing to train my body while I exercise my brain. Being part of a crew team will be one of the best parts of my college experience.

I'm looking for a strong liberal arts college with a STEM program where I will have the opportunity to study neuropsychology and cognitive sciences. I want to pursue an education that will prepare me to help other people. It is important for me to be at close knit school where students value not just education but also their classmates.

I am at my best when working with and for others. I am a leader on my crew team as well as my wider community.  I have previously been a captain of my soccer team and have spent this past school year coaching elementary and middle school kids.  This last year I coached 5th and 6th boy’s soccer and cross-country skiing for 3rd and 4th graders. For two summers I have hosted my own summer program teaching Nordic ski jumping for students in grades k-8. It has been incredibly rewarding to be able to teach kids and see them not just having fun, but to see their pride in accomplishing new skills.

I have never accepted being average in anyway.  I strive to do my best every day in both my athletics and my academics. I tend to set very high expectations for myself and I am fortunate to have achieved some hard won successes. When I have not performed as well as I have hoped, I try again harder until I achieve my goals. I refuse to ever give up. After suffering several concussions, I had to give up ski jumping and soccer, but I have not let the injuries stop me. Rather, they have made me focus and work to overcome all obstacles. I will bring that intensity, drive, and perseverance to college and my crew team.