Ella Sieber '23 Recruiting Profile

When I was in first grade my parents bought a new house that had a pool in the backyard. They knew having a pool meant that I needed to learn how to swim. They enrolled me in a local learn to swim school. I went through the program quickly and my teacher inspired me to join a local swim club. I was only 6 years old but I looked forward to each lesson and counted the days until I was in the pool again. When I joined the swim club I fell more in love with swimming. I wanted to be in the pool everyday and craved more challenges. Now, as a freshman, I still have the childlike feelings associated with swimming. I love the feeling of walking on the pool deck, smelling the chlorine, and hearing the sound of swimmers in the pool. As I approach each practice, I am reminded of why I swim. Swimming teaches me to be humble, brave, confident, and it inspires me to challenge myself daily. 

Today, my childlike love and awe for swimming still exists but on a new level. Each day I walk onto the pool deck is a new day to find success, drive, and fulfill my goals. I know that each practice is another opportunity to improve mentally, physically, and spiritually. When I swim, I am able to clear my thoughts, fears, and learn more about who I am as a person. Swimming is a metaphor for life. There will be swims and days that are perfect and other swims and days that challenge me to dig deep. There are many swims when I feel the success of all the hard work I put in during my practices. Then, there are many swims when I have not changed anything but yet I struggle to find my rhythm. This is true when navigating through life as well. There will be days that are perfect and there will be days that I will be challenged regardless of how hard I try to overcome daily obstacles. The days when I  am challenged are the days when I remember the lessons I have learned in the pool. My training has prepared me to overcome all obstacles. I will trust my training, my coaches, and most importantly, I will trust myself.  

I am only a sophomore but I have learned many life and swim lessons. I know I have much more to learn. I am ready and eager to learn and improve. I look forward to the future of swim and school. Thank you for taking time to invest in these life lessons with me. I look forward to working with a coach who will continue to challenge me to improve in all areas of life.