Alexandria Elliott '20 Recruiting Profile

    For much of my competitive swimming career, my dad has served in the United States Air Force. I’ve been fortunate that as we moved around the world, swimming has grown to be a respected sport and I’ve always had an opportunity to join a team. Confidently, I can say that each swim team has taught me something different about my personal journal through competitive swimming.  Determination, Persistence, Patience, and Resiliency.

Determination: I started swimming competitively when I was 7 years old.  I was taking swim lessons since the age of 3 and finally a swim lessons teacher told my parents, I needed to swim on a team.    The first practice proved very difficult because the water in the pool wasn’t heated and very cold.  I outlasted everyone and was determined to finish that practice.  It was tough but through the determination of my little 7-year-old mind, I finished practice and completed my first year as a competitive swimmer.

Persistence: In Germany, I joined the European Forces Swim League, Kaiserslautern Kingfish. Throughout my 3 years with the team I found that my best stroke was mid to long distance freestyle.  I went to practice every day and swam as hard I could.  That continued effort and persistence paid off, I finally made Varsity my last season swimming with the team.  I was pleased with continually dropping times and qualifying for Long and Short Distance Championships all 3 years in Germany. 

Patience: I grew so much as a swimmer in Germany, learning more than just strokes and times but learning about teamwork and being part of something bigger than myself.   Our next station was in Japan where I immediately joined a team. This team proved to be a difficult time in my swim career.  My times plateaued.  The team was small in numbers and many of the swimmers were younger. However, I didn’t give up. My coach continued to challenge our small group with tough drills, dryland exercises and as many competitions as we could manage in Japan. I learned that being patient; even through moments of frustration, plateauing times and minimal competitive opportunities.

Resiliency: We moved to North Dakota during the summer before my Freshman year. I connected with the local club team that had a month or so left of practice before school started. I knew this team and this small town was where my high school swim career was starting and hopefully sticking through until my senior year.  After a few weeks of practices, friendships developed and I was enjoying my new swim team. I soon overcame some hurdles in my strokes and started improving and dropping times again. As the club season ended, school and the high school swim season started.  I was determined to make Varsity and maintain my academic grades to the highest level possible. 

    As I go into my Junior year of high school, I’ve been able to maintain straight A’s in all my classes, including honors and AP courses.  I made the state team my Freshman and Sophomore year.  Being part of a team is a privilege.  I strive to accomplish my personal and team goals. Each member of a team has a responsibility to be better today, then they were yesterday, as an athlete and as a person. When you know your teammates as people, it makes it a lot easier to support them when it counts. I love my team, because they give me so much.