Hannah Hailu '21 Recruiting Profile

    I was introduced to swimming at a very young age, following the footsteps of my older sisters. Since then, out of all of the sports I participated in, such as basketball, cross country, and gymnastics, swimming remained to be my great passion. In the beginning, the rigor of the practice appeared intimidating, but with hard work, determination, and commitment, swimming became gratifying. As time went on, the pool became a source of comfort for me, and it became a place where I learned important life lessons and grew as an individual. 

    Competitively, I started swimming at age four, and from that moment on, I developed a better appreciation for the sport and the friendships I made through it. Over the years, I came to realize that to be successful in swimming, it required great discipline, unwavering devotion, and dedication. Since I started swimming, I learned to harness these attributes, and as a result, I was recognized for various achievements throughout the years. I was adulated for breaking Midwestern swimming records for many successive years in various strokes, particularly in butterfly and backstroke. I was also recognized as the Midwestern Swimmer of the Year on multiple occasions, and in high school, I was awarded as the Most Valuable Swimmer for my freshman and sophomore year. In addition to this, I am captain of my high school team and am a member of the leadership program of my club team.

    I have also used the skills I gained from swimming, for instance, time management, in my school work. Despite the time commitment that swimming requires, I continue to excel in school while taking high-level challenging courses. I am also currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, a very rigorous academic curriculum. Applying the lessons I learned from swimming has allowed me to thrive within this arena.

    Overall, I strive to be a part of a program that allows me to prosper both academically and athletically. The skills I have achieved as a swimmer such as leadership, grit, and passion have made me confident that I will be a valuable addition to your team. My devotion to swimming has not faltered over the years, and I am enthusiastic to begin my next chapter in my swimming career.

    Thank you for reading!