College Recruit Rankings Profile: Five-Star Jessica Guro, Class of 2009

PHOENIX, Arizona, June 2. AN early Class of 2009 verbal commitment to the University of Texas is next in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings profile series. Jessica Guro swims for Liberty High and Atlantis Aquatic Club in Pennsylvania.

Guro is a five-star recruit in the Swimming World College Recruit Rankings powered by Take Your Marks.

Guro, who has taken ownership of her profile, shines at the 100-meter distance with Olympic Trials cuts in the 100 back (1:03.75) and 100 fly (1:02.02).

Where and when did you start swimming?
I'm told that when I was little, I could swim before I could walk! In organized swimming, I started when I was 8 years old at our local Hanover summer swim team as a way to spend time with my elementary school friends.

Who would you name as the most influential person and coach in your swimming career?
My family has had the greatest impact on my swimming. In order for any young swimmer to compete at a high level, it is definitely a family commitment. Whether it is driving me to a 5 a.m. practice, preparing a late meal, or traveling out of state for a meet, the support of my family definitely influences how well I perform. As far as a coach, although we have several excellent coaches at my club team (ATAC), Mr. [Mike] Recine has coached me from my first Junior Olympics at age 10 to my first Olympic Trials at age 16, so he will always be special to me.

What, to this point, is your best moment in the sport and why?
When I was 15, I had a great spring Junior Nationals meet where I won four individual events. I had so much fun that week with my teammates. Outside of the pool, the best moment was opening the big box of Team USA gear that we received before going to Australia to compete for the National Junior Team. It was like Christmas!

Walk us through a week of practice:
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, we do doubles. I wake up a 4:40 a.m. We stretch, do some Vasa, and swim about 3,500 yards- usually with a kick set and a pull set. After school, we do our 16 meridian stretching poses and swim anywhere from 6,000 yards to 10,000 yards depending if our focus is sprint or distance that day.

What is your favorite set?
I love "kick sets" because kicking is my strength. I also like the challenge of "test sets" where we swim several 100's or 200's and try to get as close as you can to your best time.

What is your least favorite set?
Anything distance because I am more a mid-distance and sprint oriented. Also, any set that involves breaststroke!

What are your short-term goals?
They made the National Junior Team qualifying times faster so my short term goal is to re-qualify for the National Junior Team.

What are your long-term goals?
I would love to help Texas win an NCAA title!

You have already given an early commitment to Texas. Why did you decide to commit so early, and what did you see in Texas that helped you make your decision?
Last year, I saw several of my National level teammates stress over their college decisions. I decided I would be proactive and pick a school rather than go on five official visits and then have to say "no" to four schools. On paper, Texas was a great fit for me. I wanted a top swimming school that offered an undergraduate teaching degree. In January, I took an unofficial visit and swam in a meet at Texas. After visiting the campus and meeting with coach Kim [Brackin], I knew it was where I was meant to be. Austin is a great town and Kim is a fantastic coach who is putting together a VERY talented team. I can't wait to be part of the Longhorn swimming tradition!

Is there anything else interesting about yourself that you'd like our readers to know about?
I had very bad asthma a couple of years ago and wondered if I could keep swimming. Now, it's under control. I'd like to tell young children with asthma that may be having difficulty right now that you can get it under control and you can still excel at a sport. Other than that, I like solving the Rubik's Cube and can usually do it in under two minutes…

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