Kira Crutcher

College Counsellor Nicole Thompson addresses the community members who attended the US College Athletic Recruitment Tea. Thompson spoke about the importance of students thinking about what they want to get out of their college experience when considering getting recruited. Thompson is the designated college counsellor who can help people with questions on the admission side of the college recruiting process.

Four senior athletes, as well as Athletics Director John Farmer and College Counselor Nicole Thompson, talked about their experiences with college athletic recruitment Jan. 16. 

Students from Grades 9-11, as well as some of their parents, attended this informative event and were able to ask the students questions regarding their experiences. 

Thompson serves as the athletic liaison in College Counseling. She said when students consider furthering their athletic careers in college, they should think about what they want to get out of playing in college, what commitments they are willing to make and what they want their experience to be like.

For Lauren Brantley (‘20), Jonathan Novak (’20), Anna Podurgiel (’20) and Jack Wilkin (’20), their athletic future will be playing varsity level sports at college. 

Swimming has been a large part of Brantley’s life, and next year she will be swimming at Rice University. Brantley advised athletes “not [to] get your hopes set on one school because you never if it is going to be the right fit, or if you will get in.”

Podurgiel, who will be swimming at Brown University next year, was nervous for her first conversations with colleges. Podurgiel said that these conversations are a “scary thing to do, and that you are in a vulnerable position, but that you have to put yourself forward” especially as “you will be spending four years, as well as the length of the commitment process” with this coach. 

Wilkin will be rowing at the University of Pennsylvania next year, and advised students to “put their best self forward.”

“You should know how you present yourself is very important to schools, especially as they consider how you will contribute and fit into their team,” Wilkin said.

Thompson said that in college athletics, especially in Division I (the highest division of NCAA athletics), sports is a central component of a recruit’s college experience.

“[For recruits,] being an athlete is part of your job and you have to think if you want to make that big of a time commitment for four years,” she said.

Farmer also said that some students take the paths of playing at the varsity level, like Brantley, Novak, Podurgiel, and Wilkin will be, but for others who still want to be involved in their sport, but not as committed, there are intramural or club teams at most schools for students to take part in.