Personal Statement

My name is Hallie Synan. I'm 16, 5'3 and 127 pounds. I have been swimming for the past eight years and now going into my junior year. When I was twelve years old, I dislocated my hip. I had to have a screw put in to keep my hip in place. This operation took me out of the water for a few months. I am a very hard worker and extremely determined to acheive my goals, therefore I did not let this slow me down. After I was cleared by my doctors, I dropped time in every event and completed the IMX challenge in less than three months. I never healed quite right and was in and out of the sport for the next three years. I still worked hard and accomplished the goals I had set for myself. My freshman year I joined the North Allegheny Water Polo team. This aggravated my hip,and I needed a second operation to clean things up. I was out for the whole season but I do not regret my decision to play water polo. I wanted to remain close with the high school swim team, so I took the manager position. I stayed after school everyday and helped the coaches with whatever they needed. I was cleared to swim again in April of 2009, but was told by my physician I would never be able to do breaststroke. I swam long course and managed to build up my strength. That summer I managed to drop time in all of my events and was strong enough to try out for the high school swim team in the winter. During my sophomore year I swam with the North Allegheny club team, ANSC. Unfortunately, I was cut from the high school team because the coaches felt I would never be able to drop enough time to be an assett to the high school team due to my injury. I was not happy with the options they had presented to me and switched club teams. I now swim for the Jewish Community Center Sailfish with Al Rose as my coach. He was happy to take me on the team and make my times drop. That season I began dryland training with Matt Proskin and got in the best shape of my life. I managed to drop time at every meet, and I am now completing my first, full, long course season. My hip is no longer a problem, and I am able to do the breaststroke again. This past season I have improved greatly. I do not plan on swimming for my high school the next two years. I am happy with JCC and feel this team and coach will help me succeed more and accomplish my goals. I want swim in college and am looking for a college with a swim team that will help me grow. I feel my hard work and determination will help me succeed throughout college. I am not sure where I want to go to school yet, and I feel this will help aid me with this decision. My major is undecided. My athletic goal is to swim as a freshman and help my team succeed.