Grace Gustinis '17 Recruiting Profile

Just before my fourth birthday I moved from Switzerland to England.  It was at my Pre-prep School, Holmewood House, where I learned how to swim.  I was behind the other students in swimming ability and the school requested that my parents get me private instruction on top of my swim classes at school.  By the time I moved back to America in 2007, I was competing at school and I was proficient in all of my strokes.  Although I had a hectic schedule with piano, violin, and travel soccer, my mom decided to have me try out for a swim team so I wouldn’t lose my swimming skills. 

Over the years I started giving up my other activities in order to swim more.  The more I swam, the better I became.  I transitioned pretty effortlessly through the stages…Regionals, Age Groups, Zones, and more recently Sectionals.  Two years ago I switched to a new swim team, HMST, and started training seven days a week, swimming approximately 49,000-63,000 yards a week.  A swimmer cannot maintain that kind of yardage without being in love with the sport.

Last year, at 13 years old (I skipped 2nd grade) I became a freshman in high school and the transition from USA swimming to High School swimming was one of the best experiences of my life.  I fully committed to my high school team and took a break from USA swimming during the high school season.  As a freshman I broke a 24 -year old backstroke school record, made South-West Conference Honorable Mention, and was given MVP of the swim team.  When the high school season ended I immediately went back to USA swimming with my club team.  Now in my sophomore year, my second year on the varsity swim team has come to a close.  My season had so many positive moments for me including re-breaking my own school backstroke record, making South-West Conference Honorable mention, breaking the school record with my relay team in the 200 medley relay (I swam backstroke), making All-State by placing 2nd in the 100 yard backstroke at Class M finals, breaking the Masuk High School 400 freestyle relay record, and making State Open Championship in my 100 yard backstroke and in the 400 freestyle relay (I also made second alternate in the 100 yard butterfly).  

Regardless if I am swimming for my high school team or my club team, I demonstrate commitment and responsibility towards my fellow teammates and coaches through genuine respect and dedication to swimming.  People would say that I exercise strong leadership skills and practice self-discipline in and out of the pool.  During intense meets I remain calm and respond effectively.  While my commitment to swimming is strong, I also do some cross training such as participating in a recreational rowing program, attend various rowing camps, trying to learn lacrosse through attending camps, and participating in various open water races and triathlons. 

Despite being quite athletically determined, I am just as committed to my academic studies.  I am in almost all honors classes despite being very young for my grade due to skipping a grade.  My weighted GPA is over a 4.4 at present.  Currently I am enrolled in one AP class and three honors classes, plus electives. Swimming helps me to manage my time effectively.  Swimming at University and maintaining my course studies is not a concern of mine and I think this may set me apart from some of my peers that may excel at only swimming or academics.  My personality is energetic and outgoing, yet focused and competitive.  Living overseas for almost seven years, traveling extensively, and even attending Swiss swim practices in German, I am a very well rounded, international individual that is resilient and adapts easily to new situations and settings. 

There is a quote I have always loved and it makes me think of my swimming career, especially when I am having a tough season, “Your talent is God’s gift to you.  What you do with it is your gift to God.”  This quote inspires me to work hard and persevere in all areas of my life.