Sarah Neil '23 Recruiting Profile

When I started swimming year-round, my family lived in Atlanta, Georgia. For my swim club's larger meets, a local school's swimming and diving facility hosted our team. After my first meet at "the big pool" — this is what I called it as an eight-year-old — I knew I could not picture my future without it. As I grew up, I learned that "the big pool" was actually part of a university, and from then on I decided that I did not want a collegiate experience exclusive of my sport.

Learning, swimming, and learning about swimming are the core elements of my collegiate goals and aspirations. Academically, I hope to obtain skills in the classroom that will prepare me to contribute to my community, using my knowledge of and passion for wellness. This includes my pursuit of a major that allows me to learn more about health, nutrition, exercise, and physical therapy. In regards to swimming, I hope to become part of a team that shares my determination to improve in not only speed and endurance, but character and sportsmanship.

I stand out from other students and swimmers due to my perseverance. Throughout my high school experience, I have dedicated every afternoon, my free time on the weekends, and countless hours of sleep to improvement in the classroom and the water. Letting my grades or my times slip has never been an option, because of my lasting goal to swim in "the big pool". I am excited to continue learning more about swimming programs at universities across the country, and cannot wait to share more about experiences as a student and an athlete.