Liisa Jalakas '24 Recruiting Profile

Hi! I’m Liisa Jalakas, a student in the class of 2024 from Darien High School in Connecticut. I would love to share a little bit about myself here!

I still remember the day I proudly announced to my family that I was, at long last, able to complete a full lap in the shallow water of the pool at my local YMCA. Elementary-school-aged me felt so incredibly powerful and capable in that moment - but imagine if elementary-school-aged me saw herself now! I race for that same empowering feeling as you break your times, finish a set during which you think that you may just drown at any moment, but knowing that every single swimmer in the water with you is suffering too. 

I do my best to hold fast to my belief that there are very few things you can truly fail in, so why not try and give everything your all? While infamous for my overthinking on my highschool team, I have a penchant for fully committing myself. This has led to so many successes, and also many learning moments in my life, in and out of the pool - especially in the 200 free :)

Recently I have found a passion in science, which has pushed me to consider pursuing a career in such a range of subjects, however, I also very much enjoy music and literature. I have been an avid reader ever since I can remember, to the point of which a common punishment for any misbehavior on my part led to my most current book to be taken away. While I have much less time to read for my own enjoyment today, my love for reading and becoming immersed in a new world through books has developed into a fascination with the universe around me, which I plan to pursue in college! The discipline garnered from the numerous grueling sets and tough training truly benefits me when it comes to academia. I have found that the quality of my schoolwork has increased tenfold during the times where I am going through the most arduous period in the swim season.

Additionally, music is a vital part of me - and my culture. As an Estonian, our history and culture has depended on song, dance, and music to carry on traditions long upheld through countless occupations (as we are a small but mighty nation), and as such, my family household holds so much music in our hearts, collectively being able to sing and play the saxophone, piano, cello, viola, violin, guitar, and accordion. The frustrations from learning such instruments have supplemented my ability to withstand each and every setback in my athletic and academic career, even being told often that the dependability that I demonstrate helps my peers through the many obstacles they may come across. 

As well as being dependable in and out of the water, I am able to leave any stresses from my non-athletic life at the door to the pool, and will always have a positive and encouraging attitude to swimmers and divers around me. I am extremely team oriented, despite my participation in a generally independent sport, and would love to bring this dedication and loyalty to a collegiate-level team. Swimming has been a major aspect in my life since I was young, and while I am less experienced in the world of competitive swimming compared to many other athletes, it will not hinder my willingness to push myself hard. 

I am so grateful for the support from my family and peers, as well as the many demanding, yet patient, coaches in my life. I look forward to meeting so many new people, and to building bonds through our common love for swimming!