Matthew Berry '16 Recruiting Profile

Many swimmers have been competing for years and get burned out by the end of their high school senior year when it is time to take the next competitive step. However, unlike those swimmers, I have only been swimming competitively for about a year and a half and still love every aspect of the sport. I was a three sport athlete until last year when I decided that swimming was the sport I wanted to focus all my energy on. Swimming is what I enjoy the most. I love the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and the team spirit which is why I elected to stop playing my other sports. It wasn't because I wasn't committed, it was because I realized that I did not love the other sports as much as I love swimming. One of the aspects that appeals to me is when I have been stuck at a certain time in a certain event and then I drop time in a meet. That is one of the best feelings in the world because I realize all the hard work is paying off and I feel proud. Also, the water is the one place that all the problems of the day go away and my mind is finally at ease. I am able to focus on what is really important which is why I love swimming. I have been coaching since eleven years of age so I am very familiar with how crucial it is to learn new and better techniques. To this end, I have been diligent in listening to my coaches' advice especially since I started swimming seriously later than most. My heart is set on practicing hard, continuing to drop my times and contributing to a college swim team.