It's been open season on recruits for ten days now, meaning there's just 126 days until the NLI Signing Period.  This season, in an effort to help parents and recruits understand the recruiting process, we've asked a pair of the nation's top prospects to blog about their recruiting experiences.  Today we introduce Darcy Fishback.  Actually, Darcy's a big girl (standing about 5'10") so we'll let her introduce herself.

Hey guys . My name is Darcy Fishback and I’m an incoming senior at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio. I’m passionate about swimming and wish to continue swimming in college, and I’m writing to you about my journey through the recruiting process. This entry is a few questions about me and what I’ve done up to this point in the recruiting process.

A. What have you done to prepare for the recruiting process?

I put together a resume in fall 2007 and sent it out to the top 10 schools I was interested in. In the resume I had my own, my coach’s, and my school’s contact information, my test scores and GPA, my best times SCY and LCM, and a letter to the coaches about what I’m looking for in a University and just a little bit about my family and some things I enjoy doing. I’ve researched every college I’ve looked into, and I’ve taken some unofficial visits to a few of the colleges I live near or traveled near for family visits or swim meets.

B. What are you looking forward to the most during the recruiting process?

I’m looking forward to finding that swimming program and university that is perfect for me. I look forward to visiting some different schools and being able to compare and contrast them and hopefully find that program that fits my needs and I fit theirs.

C. What are you least looking forward to?

I don’t look forward to telling a coach ‘No’. Everyone I’ve corresponded to so far has been very nice to me and in the end it will probably be a hard decision as to which school I will attend, and to have to deny one is going to be hard for me. I don’t look forward to “the big decision”, but I do look forward to the outcome of that decision.

D. What are your goals for your senior year?

I want to be the NISCA national champion in the 100 butterfly. I’m going to go after the national public high school record in the 100 fly as well, and that’s a bit of a stretch but why not dream big. Outside the pool I want to enjoy my last year at home and spend time with my friends. I’m hosting a German exchange student for the academic year, so I definitely want to learn from her and show her what America’s all about.

E. What are some of your goals/aspirations for college?

I want to be a NCAA National Champion. I don’t care if it’s individual, on a relay, or team. I want a National Championship in something under my belt before I graduate because it will be something I will never forget. Outside of the pool I hope to use college as a chance to learn more about myself and the “real world”.

F. What are you thinking you might like to major in?

I have a lot of different interests. I’m leaning towards a degree in secondary education. I think they can be versatile and it can spread into many different careers other than teaching if I decide that’s not the way for me to go. But I’m also interested in kinesiology, chemistry, and history as well.

G. What have been some of your biggest accomplishments thus far?

I’ve been Ohio State Champion in the 100 fly for the past three consecutive years. I broke the state record in the 100 fly this year which was formerly held by Whitney Myers. My high school team has been the state champion for the past four years. I competed in Olympic Trials this year (2008) and did well (aka I didn’t bomb).

H. What do you like to do outside of the pool?

I like to do the usual: hang out with friends, go see movies, sleep, eat, go bowling and what not. I also enjoy engaging in the arts when I have time. I enjoy listening and playing music, drawing, painting, writing short stories and poems and reading. I love to be outside either just relaxing or playing a miscellaneous sport with friends.

I. What are five words that describe you?

This is a hard one… Competitive, easy-going, curious, hard-working, and determined.

Alright, that's all for now.  Remember, when the black line ends, flip!

Learn more about Darcy and her search for a school.  Learn more about the college search process at the CollegeSwimming Recruit Workshop