Lauren Gleason '23 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is Lauren Gleason. I have always loved the pool from an early age. Growing up in Southern California with great weather, I was always asking my parents for a night swim or my own pool in the backyard. Until I was 11, I grew up playing soccer and softball. It wasn't until I had a bad all-star softball experience (when I was benched after hitting a homerun) that I traded in my cleats for a swim cap. My first coach Marcus Virelles gave me a ton of confidence and helped me get my first JO time in the breaststroke. Only a few months later tragedy would strike as my 26 year old coach would suffer a massive stroke. Watching him fight to recover and make it back on deck was very inspiring and taught me what NEGU really means. Then watching Missy Franklin in the 2012 games gave me the goal of the Olympics. As my young swim career takes me on to the Mission Viejo Nadadores, I am very excited with everything I am learning from my new coaching staff. My coaches have all commented on my upper body strength and now it is time to get my legs in the game. To any college coach out there, I just want to say that I know I am young, but my passion for the sport runs deep.