Cady Sytsma '21 Recruiting Profile

My name is Cady Sytsma. I am a junior at Ferndale High School, and I have been a varsity swimmer since my freshman year.

Originally, I didn’t want to be a swimmer. My mom encouraged me to try the high school swim team my freshman year just for a month. I dreaded the first day, but I remember jumping in for the first practice. It was extremely difficult yet I loved it for that reason. I don’t want to swim in college because it is easy. I want to swim in college because it requires work to get faster. I love putting in the effort to perfect my technique and improve my speed. I am an incredibly determined individual and very self-motivated. I put in the effort when I want something, and swimming in college is something I have wanted for a long time.

I have always been in the water. I have been in swimming lessons since I was six months old and I always remember loving it. From the pool in the backyard to the ocean in Hawaii, I can’t wait to get in the water.

My parents describe me as a high-achieving and highly motivated person. I always work hard in everything I do, and I have a natural ability to learn new skills quickly. I am responsible and hardworking in school and in my athletic career.

My goals for swimming include getting faster, of course, but if I am going to be swimming at the college level, not only do I want to get faster, I want to have fun, make friends, and get a good education. To have fun in college for me means having interesting classes, being involved in clubs and activities and having a good group of friends. I am very interested in studying psychology, particularly mental health. It has always been my goal to help people in as many ways as I can, and this particular field of study would make me feel useful and be incredibly fulfilling. I would love the be a therapist or a counselor particularly for teenage girls because I know that this group has an increasing need for this service.

Thank you for considering me for your college swim team. I know I will be a positive addition to any team. I can’t wait to hear from you!