Mackenzie Crowl signed her letter to attend Transylvania University to continue swimming and further her education.

Crowl said she chose Transy because she feels the school will put her in a successful position.

“I really liked their art program,” she said. “I love art. I know the swim coach really well, too. He is really fun and such a nice guy. I know I can grow.”

Crowl said she cannot put into words how hard she has worked for this moment.

“I have worked really hard,” she said. “I take classes at EKU to try and get my GPA up. I also have been swimming for eight years.”

Crowl said she stuck with swimming because it was the sport she gained the most interest in.

“I tried soccer and gymnastics,” she said. “Nothing seemed to fit. Then I tried swimming and it was just perfect.”

Crowl admits she is nervous about being in a new community.

“I am most nervous about meeting new people and having a new team,” she said. “It will be different being in a new area I have never been in.”

Crowl said her motivation over the years to give it her best has somewhat naturally came within.

“In the classroom, I have just always wanted to get really good grades. I am a perfectionist and having good grades means a lot to me. In the pool, I had knee surgery a couple years ago and I was afraid I would not be able to swim in college. I kept working even harder.”

Crowl is confident in her positive leadership and enthusiasm to help her new team.

“A lot of people struggle getting into the pool in the mornings,” she said. “I automatically want to jump in whenever I see a pool. I want to be a positive influence on them and be encouraging.”