Carly Ahrens '23 Recruiting Profile

Hello Coaches!! I hope you are having a great day!! I am Carly Ahrens, and I would love to run in college. My goal is to compete and contribute to team success at the highest levels in collegiate athletics while pursuing a degree.

My first three years in High School I have competed at the Varsity level for XC, Swimming, and Track.  While I know swimming has benefitted my running abilities, I have recently stopped year-round club swimming which will allow me to focus more on my running ultimately preparing better for college.

I believe I would be a good asset to a team because I am a bubbly hard-working athlete who is a proven leader on my high school and club teams. I lead by example and am continuing to develop my vocal leadership skills. I believe “Attitude is Everything” and I maintain a mindset focused on continuous improvement and being a positive encourager to others. Those around me know my personality shows I love to have fun, but at the same time I have a strong work ethic.

I feel I have differentiated myself from others in that in addition to being focused on excelling in my sports (XC, Track and both High School & Club Swim), I am proud of the way that I am well rounded and involved in organizations I’m passionate about. I have played in the school band, am a member of a local chapter of the National Charity League, volunteer, and support Addi’s Faith Foundation (fighting pediatric brain tumors & supporting families), am involved in church.  I also attended the inaugural LEAD Sports Summit (Sept. 2017) hosted by Kara Lynn Joyce, Missy Franklin, Elizabeth Beisel, with a confidence coach & nutritionist. What a great experience it was to help further develop my leadership skills and to reinforce how set goals, persevere, work on building mental strength and endurance, and using my confidence gained on the roads, track, and pool to be a better leader in the classroom as well.

I love school and am particularly proud of how I have been able to adapt along with my teammates to new schedules & delivery methods as we have all adapted to this pandemic world.  I have been able to balance my running & swimming with my academics and managed an unweighted 3.6 GPA through mid-sophomore year. I will be taking some AP classes including Chem, and Environmental Science. With my advanced classes, I have a GPA of 4.65 (on a 5pt scale). I am ranked 199 out of 699 students.

Growing up I’ve enjoyed many sports including Lacrosse, soccer, softball, and swimming.  I began Summer League Swimming in our community when I was 4 years old. Like many other swimmers, I made friends, had fun, and learned early on that I am a competitor at heart. I joined USA Swimming’s Blue Tide Aquatics (“BTA”) a few years later and have been swimming competitively year around since.  I also enjoy competing in local 5k’s as I get to run and support great causes.

I have found a home on the Kingwood High School (Texas High School 6A Large School Division) making the Varsity team for both XC & Swim both of my first two years. Our women’s team earned 2^nd place at State my freshman year where I ran a PR of 17:54 (5K) placing 8^th.   Earning All-State honors and leading our team at the Texas State Meet was an honor.

While I do not know exactly what I plan to study in college, I am currently leaning towards Business or Environmental Studies and am looking to attend an institution that offers competitive academics, as well as athletics. I am excited to challenge myself and grow in my abilities both on the track & in the classroom.

I genuinely love running for all it offers and look forward to continuing my athletic career in college. I am interested in learning more about the opportunities available and hope you consider me to be a part of your program!!