When Senior Meital Hailpern started swimming ten years ago, she joined a family of swimmers. Her dad and both her brothers swim, and family has been a huge part of why she loves swimming.
When Senior Meital Hailpern first started swimming ten years ago, she joined a family of swimmers. Now, after all these years, she joins another family, committing to the Division 3 school, Whitman College.
Hailpern and her brothers have been swimming for the same club, Wildkit Swimming Organization, the entire time and throughout her time swimming at club, Hailpern has enjoyed being able to go to meets with her brothers.
“Getting to swim alongside my brothers has been really memorable for me” reflected Hailpern.
More recently, she has also been a three year varsity swimmer for ETHS finishing top five in the conference in three events as just a sophomore. She has maintained this excellent performance placing in the top ten in multiple events in the CSL South championships every year she’s been on varsity. Despite this, she didn’t plan on swimming in college.
“I was very persistent on the fact that I wouldn’t swim in college” revealed Hailpern.
However, as she improved, she changed her mindset. She enjoyed swimming so much that she didn’t want to stop. She also had colleges at many levels recruiting her so she had to choose what level she would be swimming at if she was to swim in college.
“Choosing D1 felt like more of a job, and as a swimmer, I didn’t want it to feel like that and I wanted to do it more for enjoyment.” expressed Hailpern.
In November, Hailpern made her decision to commit to Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, a D3 swimming program with only 2,000 students. Hailpern was guided to her Whitman commitment by the long-time Whitman head swimming coach and aquatic director, Jennifer Blomme who has helped transform Whitman into a powerhouse in their conference, the Northwest Conference so Hailpern is in good hands.
“I’m excited for my amazing new coach who I think is going to help me be a much better swimmer” voiced Hailpern.
