Natalie Gneiser '22 Recruiting Profile

Water. A common element found on the periodic table. H20 has not only impacted my life but completely changed it. Water and Swimming have always been a huge part of my life. I’ve loved the feeling of the water as you’re racing and the beautiful friendships that are built with teammates. During Covid, it became my way to release stress and cope. 

Covid brought many challenges. I lost my Aunt to Schizophrenia and suicide. My parents got a divorce. I wasn’t able to compete or participate in events due to Covid. With all of these challenges, I used the pool to keep a constant in my life. It not only gave me a way to release my stress from the events of covid but it helped me become a better person. I grew as a person because swimming allowed me to continue to have goals. The success of these goals helped me become captain of the swim team as a junior, become accepted into the school's leadership council, and be honored to be a part of the Baraboo High School National Honors Society. I had a turning point in my life because Covid challenged me to always put my best foot forward because you never knew when things would get taken away. This moment has changed my mindset. 

This mindset will continue to influence me in the future. Setting goals will remind me of what I want to accomplish and how I intend to get there.   I will pursue the goal of graduating high school with all semesters on the high honor roll and continuing to lead others through the Leadership Council, Interact Club, and swim team. I will take the skills I have learned from high school and apply them to my further education in college. I will lead others, give back, and continue to set goals to achieve a great future.