Devyn Malouf '16 Recruiting Profile

I have been a member of the Los Angeles Swim Club (LASC) since September 2006, more than half of my life. Words cannot express how grateful I am to have found a sport that has helped me grow so much as an individual. Through swimming, I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, all of which have humbled me and taught me the values of perseverance and discipline. I fully attribute my becoming the person I am today to my swimming experience and the relationships I've developed with my coaches and teammates, who inspire me daily with their passion and love for the sport. 

More than anything, the jubilation I feel in the water is what is motivating me to pursue a collegiate career. For the past nine years, I have dreamed about the relationships I will make with my teammates, training in a collegiate atmosphere, and racing at one of the most elite levels of competition our sport has to offer - simply put, I am not reading ready to stop growing in this sport and I am not ready to stop racing. 

What makes me a good candidate for your team? Recently, I  had reason to ask my swim coach, Sergio Ruiz, to write me a recommendation. I was so touched by the sentiment that I thought I'd share his thoughts as to what makes me a good candidate for your team, as I think it also speaks to how I might be different from other recruits in character, which drives me forward in athletics and academics to reach my highest heights.

Devyn is currently a swimmer representing Los Angeles Swim Club - a competitive swim team that
builds a program of excellence through training, team unity, character development and family support.
Currently, Devyn is blossoming as an athlete and as an individual - leaps of forward progress. While
Devyn has always approached any hurdle with poise, patience and grit, it has been her acceptance of the
process - the journey - that has separated her from others. Though at times showing a natural sense of
frustration, Devyn’s overall approach has pulled her through injury, a heavy academic workload, and
dramatic changes to her technique and training methods.

Devyn has been a pure joy to work with throughout her process. She has incredible belief in her abilities,
and comes away from every problem wiser - accepting every bit of feedback as a constructive challenge
rather than a judgement. When injured, Devyn kept her head high; when schooling got tough, she never
missed a day; and when what we were trying in the water didn’t work, it was her tenacity and belief in her
coach that brought her where she is. Truly a coach’s dream.

If you are looking for a teammate with values, Devyn is a leader by example - always keeping in mind
that character is what you do when people aren’t watching. Devyn is the perfect swimmer to ask how the
group feels about things such as sets, talks, recovery, etcetera - as she has a wonderful read on her
teammates. She betters her teams by doing, acting and thinking a certain way - always encouraging
manners and positive thinking. The bar is set higher by Devyn’s ability to inspire her peers with her drive
to reach her full potential.

Devyn is a pure joy to work with, but it’s important to recognize her newness to speed. Although
originally trained for distance events, we made a commitment to rebuild her freestyle before taking
distance events seriously. In the last year, we have not only been able to hold form, but we have gone
from a 1:01 in season 100 Freestyler to a :56 in season swimmer [2:14 in season 200 Freestyler to a 2:04
in season swimmer] - all by averaging about 5,000 yards per session. With so much room for added
volume and specificity, Devyn’s potential - matched with her joy in the process - makes for a perfect
candidate at any program.

Our job as coaches is to make great people, and I take great honor in recommending Devyn to any school
she wishes to attend. Whether you’re looking for an athlete with potential, or a natural leader with
outstanding morals, Devyn will believe in the program she chooses and will excel in both aspects. I also
guarantee that she will never forget to end practice with a “thank you.” You can hold me to it.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss Devyn’s current training further, please do not hesitate
to ask.