Melanie Walkes '26 Recruiting Profile

Who would believe I was terrified of the water? .......

Up until the age of four when my mom enlisted me in a Learn-to Swim program.  It was not an instant love either! But, after attending my first overseas competition in St. Lucia at the age of seven, my passion for swimming grew.  That Meet was a very big stepping stone and is the main reason I continued with the sport.  After getting disqualified in a stroke which at the time I considered my favorite stroke - backstroke,  the older swimmers and the friends that I met at the competition showed a great amount of encouragement and offered very useful tips. That is what I strive for, being there for my teammates who may need the  encouragement.

When I think of my progress, while not record-breaking, it has been steady, as I focus on my technique in the four strokes so as to become an asset to my potential college swim team.  As my passion for swimming grew so did the goal of becoming a Student Athlete - successfully supporting and contributing to my team and my individual target of qualifying for international swim events leading up to the Olympics.

I possess a quiet determination and work ethic that allows me to pursue swimming, ballet, socializing with my friends while steadily improving my B-average grades to A-average grades that will all culminate in a career in the Medical field in Pediatrics and Obstetrics.