Willobelle Valentine '25 Recruiting Profile

I have deeply enjoyed swimming for all of my life and recently got the opportunity to participate on a high school swim team. I attend an extremely small school, Montesano High School in WA, and it does not offer a swim team program. Prior to joining a high school program I swam on the USA swim team through the YMCA where I also work as a Lifeguard and teach youth swim lessons. On the USA team of our YMCA I went to state and qualified for regionals. I chose to join the only swim team in my entire county run by Aberdeen High School, and it was the best decision I have ever made regarding my athletics. I made it in my first year to district finals on the Varsity team. Due to WIAA rules I separated from the Aberdeen girls and competed on the "Montesano Swim Team" solo. I got PRs in my events of 50 and 100 free, and cheered for the girls on Aberdeen's team in their relays, all four of which made it to state. I am looking forward to competing in my senior year and want more than anything to be able to continue improving and competing at the college level. 

I strive to work extremely hard in both the pool and the classroom. I am always seeking to improve myself athletically and academically. I maintain a very high GPA in both the high school and the college I attend for Running Start. I participate as the Vice President of many programs at my HS including National Honors Society, Pep Club, and ASL Club. In my high school career I have taken all Honors and AP classes and study rigorously for my college courses. In preparation for my future career I participated in a study abroad program in Spain for two summers, "Archaeospain," which provides college and high school students with a month long program for archaeological studies in various European countries. 

I also have a lengthy athletic history prior to joining the Aberdeen Swim Team. I was a ballerina on pointe, jazz dancer, and hip-hop dancer for 12 years starting at age 3. At the same time in elementary school I participated in cheerleading, and softball. In middle school I was a volleyball and soccer player. Finally, in high school I ran Varsity cross country for two years, and currently do Varsity track where my events are shotput and discus. I am also a member of our powerlifting team for which I went to state for the past two years earning a top ten spot in my weight class.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration, I look forward to talking with you soon.