In Recruiting Dyllan Hebert, Midway U Swim Team Strikes Gold

Only 8% of female high school swimmers across the nation qualify to compete at the collegiate level. One of those elite few is Chattahoochee Gold swimmer Dyllan Hebert. In the fall, she's bound for Midway, Kentucky to swim for Midway University. The Midway Lady Eagles are coming off their best finish in team history at the Mid-South Conference Championships. The team has also had at least one national qualifier in each of the last three seasons at the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Swim Championships.

Why did Midway choose Dyllan to help the Eagles soar to new heights? She says, "I think Midway chose me initially because they needed a backstroker on the roster....I think it was evident that I fit into the culture of the team, and our goals aligned making the match obvious." Her goals at Midway, "...include Conference and NAIA national cuts (qualifying times) in my freshman season." Dyllan says, "I knew the second I actually met Coach (Jeff) Armstrong in-person when I visited the campus that this would be my collegiate home. He made me feel welcomed, wanted and valued. The campus just felt right. It felt like home."

Dyllan credits her Chattahoochee Gold coach for helping her thrive in the pool and achieve a spot on a college swim roster despite formidable physical challenges, "Coach Mark Walleshauser has been the coach who helped me to get back to my best times after my multiple knee surgeries. He always pushes me to be a better swimmer every day both mentally and physically. My proudest achievement at Gold was getting back to my 1:04 time in the 100 Back after a very long and hard recovery from knee surgery (twice). It was a difficult road, but with the help and support of my coach and my teammates, I made it back to my PB's (personal best) each time." Coach Walleshauser responds, "Dyllan is an incredible young lady who has a fighter's spirit. She could have easily stopped swimming many times throughout the years, but she always found her way back to the pool. It is nothing I have seen before! I am excited to see her journey continue at Midway University and beyond!"

As she prepares for this next big step in her athletic career, Dyllan reflects on her favorite part of swimming for Gold, "The atmosphere. Hands down. We swim at 3 different (practice) locations, but I love how we can come together as one team to cheer each other on or pick up one another when we are down. I started swimming with Chattahoochee Gold in the Summer of 2022. I had been a year-round swimmer for several years before that in Gwinnett County, but needed a change. Although Gold was a long hour and 20 minute drive, I felt as though it was where I belonged. I have grown as a person and a swimmer since joining Gold, and for that, I am so grateful."