Grace Summerbell '24 Recruiting Profile

Hi my name is Grace Summerbell and I would be a great addition to your team.    My  journey started off like many of the other swimmers you will read but my story is one of perseverance and has some twists and turns that I believe make me unique.   I have battled obstacles and overcome adversity to become a stronger swimmer and a better teammate and feel I would add value to the right college team.

I started swimming when I was 3 and joined the YMCA  Barracudas and I loved it!  Later, I was part of the Great Wolf  Club Team and The Andover Swim and Dive.   I made so many new friends and I learned a lot about hard work and responsibility.   I joined the high school swim team when I was in 7th grade and lettered.   In 8th grade my times were really starting to get good as I swam 56.03 in 100 Free and 200.06 in 200 free at sections and swam a 25.48 in 50 Free a few months later at the MRC Championships.  My 9th Grade year was the year of Covid and although there were no fans in the stands or a state meet, my times improved. I was All Conference in the North Suburban and finished 3rd in sections in the 100 back with a 59.67 behind the girls with the 2 fastest times in the state.

 I never really knew how much I  love the sport until I couldn't have it and that's what happened for part of my 11th grade year.

I worked hard all summer to have a strong start to the High School season and worked hard in the practices.  The first meet of the season was conference relays and I was so excited, but on the bus ride there,  I was not feeling to well and I told my coach and I just tried to drink water to try and make myself feel better,  I was swimming anchor of the first relay and  started to not feel right on my 3rd 50 and  I made it back to the wall and passed out.  I felt so bad for my team for disqualifying us but also felt weird that this was happening to me, like what the heck I had such an awesome season last year why was this happening to me.  Because of this I wasn't allowed to swim until I had clearance from a cardiologist and missed 9 weeks of the season.    When I  did get clearance to swim again there was only a few weeks left before sections and the state meet so I essentially was starting the season when everyone else was peaking and starting to taper.  I was determined however and when sections came around I competed in the relays and  swam a 26.09 in 50 Butterfly as part of the Medly relay which had an overall time of 145.11 and was the 2nd fastest entry time in the state meet.  Unfortunately we were DQ'd at state but I was so proud of how we did an my contribution after missing the season.

 I am humbled that you took the time to read a little bit about my story and excited to show you what type of contributor I will be at the next level.  I want to assure coaches considering me that my health issues are behind me and that I am College ready.   If anything it has given me a drive and desire to prove what I can do.  I hope you consider me for your team and I will work hard to make you glad you did!