Anastasia Bekou '21 Recruiting Profile

While water has always bound the places in which I have lived—first Geneva, Switzerland, which is surrounded by Lac Leman and now Cyprus, my island home country in the eastern Mediterranean—I see water as a place of endless possibilities. What started as simple fun when I was 4 has become a regular and essential part of my everyday life as a 14 year-old.  I cannot imagine a day without being in the water.  It is exciting; it fuels my imagination and my dreams.

Early on, my coaches asked my parents to consider enrolling me not just in advanced lessons, but in swimming competitions.  I participated with enthusiasm and, before we realized it, swimming became something I not only wanted, but needed to do every day. Swimming became part of my daily routine and, year after year, training took up more time and grew more difficult. Competitions became more frequent and more stressful, but remained something I craved despite the difficulties. While lots of people swim, Cyprus has limited facilities for those of us who want to do it as more than a hobby. I have to admit that swimming in pools without warm water, practicing in open-air swimming pools under extreme weather conditions, relying on inappropriate or broken diving boards and working with teachers who refuse to be flexible isn’t always easy.  But, it is worth it and, because of these experiences, I feel better able to cope with various situations and in various contexts.  When I recently had the opportunity to compete as part of a team in Greece, I found it thrilling not just because of the much larger crowds, but also because of the more modern equipment and surroundings.

Swimming has taught me to set specific goals, aim high and be analytical as well as detail-oriented.  It has taught me to be more concentrated and disciplined to achieve goals.  I think it has helped me learn to accept criticism and, when I fail, to work harder because I can improve myself. Being part of a coached team, I try to listen and also communicate my needs.  When I succeed, I enjoy sharing my success with fellow athletes, my coach and my parents whose words are always in my mind… “we believe in you”.

All these skills also characterize me as a student.  I have learned to be efficient in what I am doing, working to grasp as much as I can in the classroom so that I have less to do at home.  I try to be dedicated in my coursework and to be an active member of my school community.  Starting this year, I will be attending the athletic lyceum which will allow me to practice three mornings a week before school, in addition to the training I will do with my swimming club in the afternoons.  

My goal it to continue balancing being a student with being an athlete, without compromising on either. My academic goals include maintaining a high GPA in high school, focusing mostly on the sciences and especially biology and chemistry which I enjoy the most.  At the same time, I aspire to continue improving as a swimmer and to continue breaking national records and participating in international competitions.