Sophie Scroggins '23 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I was old enough to take the Mommy and Me swim lessons at the local YMCA, I have loved being in the water. Living in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I grew up always within a short walk to the lake. If I wasn't swimming, I was kayaking, paddleboarding, or floating around on an inflatable.

I've played over ten sports in my lifetime-everything from softball to basketball to even sailing. Swimming is the only sport that has stuck around. In my opinion, there's nothing like the feeling after a good swim. To quote Cody Miller, diving in for swim practice is most definitely the "best part of the day!"

Outside of the pool, I love music. I have been playing my main instrument, the euphonium, since 6th grade and since then I have picked up the trombone, French horn, and trumpet (if you can't tell, I am a brass enthusiast).  Band class is always such a fun break in the day for me. In my opinion, playing a wind instrument and swimming are two mutually beneficial activities in terms of breath control practice. My family also has a piano and I play it on occasion for fun. In addition to playing music, I enjoy listening to and going to see Broadway musicals. While singing is not one my strengths, I combine my love for band and Broadway by learning to play the songs on various instruments.

Even though I have been swimming competitively since I was 7, I did not start doing regular doubles until September 2020 at the age of 15. My mom is a retired athletic trainer who has worked with many swimmers with countless shoulder issues. She did not want that to happen to me, so I have not been swimming at a fairly high volume until this season (2020-2021). My mom always said, "We are in this for the long run." Because of this, I have never had any injuries. I also think that I have a lot of room to grow once I start training more frequently and intensely.

During the end of 2019, I experienced a month of uncertainty where I was unsure if I would ever be able to swim competitively again. I was diagnosed with Flu B and Pneumonia after waking up with a fever of 103.7 and passing out twice. During my stay at the ER, the doctors were concerned about my heart. Over the course of a month, I had four EKGs and was only allowed to do a maximum of 1000 yards of moderate swimming a day. After the fourth EKG, a cardiologist concluded that my heart was perfectly healthy, I just had an unusually low heart rate. This experience made me truly grateful for the opportunity I have to compete. I approach swimming with a reformed perspective now-I truly swim for myself, because I love it. Even during the hardest workouts, the most grueling sets, there's no place I'd rather be.

I hope you will consider me for your team.