Henry Morrissey ’22, captain of the Swimming & Diving team committed to Stanford University in early August. Henry has been swimming for GA’s Varsity Swim Team since freshman year as well as the Germantown Academy Aquatic Club (GAAC) since seventh grade. As leader and role-model in the pool and classroom, Henry is one of the most exceptional student-athletes in the GA community.
To get to this level, it takes more than just going through the motions at practice. Henry is a model of hard work and has a positive work ethic. He expresses that “it’s all about working the hardest and being the hardest working person there. The GA swim team pushes effort, grit, and resilience, and I believe in embodying that while also listening to my teammates and coaches.” With all of his hard work he has put in the pool it is no surprise that he was one of top recruits in the class of 2022. Commenting on his decision to attend Stanford, he stated: “I chose Stanford because of how similar the culture and comradery is there to the GA swim team. They also have great academics which I devote myself towards.”
Morrissey’s success is not a surprise to those around him, especially his coaches. Tenured GA Swimming & Diving coach, Nina Smith, recounts Henry as “a quiet leader.” She continued, “He does everything right. He is the first in the water and the first off the wall in the set. He works hard at everything and there is no part that he lets up– he gives it his all. He studies the sport and knows his weaknesses. These past four years I have watched him tackle his weaknesses and make them better. That is what makes him the great athlete that he is.” In similar fashion, assistant coach Pat Kennedy comments: “He is focused and gives attention to detail. His work ethic is what has helped him become the swimmer that he is, I believe. He is a good young man.”
Not only do his coaches notice his unfaltering commitment to excellence in the pool, his teammates recognize it as well. Fellow GA boys Swimming & Diving senior captain, Jack Maketa ‘22, describes him as “quiet, hardworking, resilient, and having unwavering discipline.” Maketa stated, “Henry is a really cool athlete in the sense that he wasn’t always really good, and it’s very evident that he got to where he is on practice rather than merely natural born talent. He doesn’t ride off that talent and that’s why he’s such a cool athlete.” Similarly, sophomore CC Leoni ’24 says that “Henry is really motivated and always works hard. He’s so hardworking it’s inspirational.”
With a little over half of the rest of his final season ahead of him, Morrissey plans to “win Easterns with the team on February 26, 2022.” He emphasized that “all the years of resilience and long hard work have accumulated to this final meet.” Looking ahead to the future beyond his time here in Fort Washington, at Stanford, he plans to “take every opportunity along the way and have an impact on the team at Stanford immediately on arrival.”
The community at Germantown Academy congratulates Henry on his college commitment to continue his athletic and academic career at Stanford University, as well as his achievements achieved here at GA. Morrissey’s contributions to the aquatics program and GA community have resulted in his high esteem. Although he will be trading his GA swim cap for a Stanford one next year, he will always bleed red, black, and blue. The Patriots bid you farewell and wish you the best of luck on the next chapter of your life out on the West Coast!