Rachel Sanqunetti, Hamilton Heights’ senior, has signed a letter of intent to swim for the Indiana State Sycamores in Terre Haute, Indiana this fall. Indiana State is a member of the NCAA and the Missouri Valley Conference. She is the daughter of Carol and Doug Sanqunetti.
A four-year varsity swimmer, 10-time conference champion, three-year member of the All-Conference Team, Academic All-Conference Teams and MVP as well as a state qualifier in the 100-yard backstroke, Sanqunetti said she chose Indiana State because of its great academic and athletic opportunities. “I loved the team atmosphere and talented coaching staff,” she said of her interactions and visits to the campus. “In addition, the team has made huge progress in the past few years and I am excited to have the opportunity to be a future part of a competitive swim program.”
Her hard work and dedication inside and outside of the classroom has paid off academically and athletically with Sanqunetti earning a place in the Top 10 percent of the Class of 2019 and an opportunity to study and swim for a NCAA Division I athletic institution. She holds the school record for the 200 medley, 100 butterfly, and 100 backstroke. She is a member of the 200-medley relay team that holds the school record and the conference record.
Swimming for the last seven years, Sanqunetti has developed her skills through training, competitions, swim clinics, college camps, hard work, and dedication. She credits coach Brent Lord from Power Aquatics and Hamilton Heights swimming and diving coach Sue Beale and assistant boys team coach Justin Davis for their help in improving her technique, strength, speed, and skill as a swimmer. “I would not be where I am today without their time, encouragement, and support,” she noted.
“Rachel has been a model student/athlete all four years at Hamilton Heights,” said Kurt Ogden, Hamilton Heights athletic director. “She has dedicated her athletic career to swimming and through that amount of time, she has obliterated most individual records at the middle school and has broken her fair share of high school records as well. Indiana State is certainly getting a quality athlete but they’re also getting a great kid too. We wish Rachel the best at the next level.”
Sanqunetti, a member of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of the Key Club, and volunteer at Angel’s Attic and the Hamilton County Humane Society, plans to pursue a degree in exercise science and advanced degree in physical therapy with a career goal of becoming a physical therapist specializing in sports.
Hamilton Heights senior Rachel Sanqunetti has signed a letter of intent to swim for the Indiana State Sycamores in Terre Haute, Indiana this fall. Sanqunetti is pictured with friends and classmates at her signing celebration. (Photo courtesy Hamilton Heights)