Gabriella Hestwood '13 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I started swimming at the age of eight years old it has been my aspiration to swim in college. I started my career swimming for Jackson County Aquatic Club which is where I continue to swim out of high school season. Even at a young age, swimming was always something I took very seriously. While the other kids in my lane were taking bathroom breaks or stretching their muscles I was always pushing myself during a set or focusing on my technique. From a very young age I learned the importance of a dedicated work ethic and have used that understanding to constantly push myself at practice and work harder than my teammates. This work ethic and focus has helped me tremendously grow as a swimmer throughout the years. At the age of nine I made my first zone meet and by the time I was ten I was a state champion in the 100 yard butterfly. When I was twelve I won the 50 meter butterfly state championship and shortly after won the 50 yard butterfly middle school state championship. My freshman year of high school I was voted the team?s most valuable swimmer and received a Division 1 all-state honorable mention award in the 100 yard butterfly. At states my sophomore year I received Division 1 all-state first team awards in the 100 yard butterfly and 400 yard freestyle relay and an honorable mention award in the 50 yard freestyle. I was also voted team MVP again and was named the MISCA zone 7 swimmer of the year. Throughout my swimming career I have faced adversity and had to overcome obstacles to become the swimmer I am today. Perseverance and the willingness to give one hundred percent effort are things that I could contribute to any team. Everything I do I give 110 percent effort and refuse to back down to a challenge. Currently I am the President of the junior class at Lumen Christi High School and my sophomore year I was the class treasurer. Through these positions at school I have demonstrated leadership and a will to succeed which could be a contribution to any team. Knowing that I wanted to swim in college, I have always been open to going anywhere to college as long as I have the opportunity to swim. I would like to attend a college that prides itself on academics and realizes that I am a student first and an athlete second. I would prefer swimming in a Division 1 or 2 school and size and location are all open to me. Currently my plan is to study to become a physical therapist or study medicine to become an orthopedic surgeon. Knowing my major could change by the time I get to college, I plan on pursuing a career choice in the area of science. Given the opportunity to swim in college I would like to be able to swim at the highest competition level possible and contribute to the team.