My mother went to college late and works as a city manager. This means that as she developed her career we moved a couple of times. Due to this, I have had the pleasure of playing for three different sized schools, with three different coaching philosophies, three different defensive plays and formations. I have learned to adapt to the many different players that I have worked with over the years and the different coaching styles. This has been a huge benefit in many ways in athletics, but it also shows in my academics due to the different teaching methods and requirements of the schools.
In athletics, I have learned to be coachable, adaptable, a leader in change, and work outside of the social norms. I began in a 5A large suburban school (The Colony) for my Junior High years. I know in most Junior Highs the High School coaches typically do not worry about them, but Coach Rangel is not a normal coach. He is a great coach and his staff works with the Junior High students during the summer months alongside the high school players, which I attended even after moving.
I moved to Clarksville, Texas a small 2A Division 1 school for my freshman and half my sophomore year. I was automatically on the Varsity team. The racial demographics at Clarksville were new to me. I worked under two coaches in Clarksville and really bonded with some of my teammates and the lineman coach, Coach Kennedy. They helped me adapt my speed and skills for my position. I was used as one of the powerhouses to break through the Offensive line and get the quarterback in the backfield to stop the play. The coaches and I used my ability to be a sleeper truck. I am 6’0”, 245 pounds and can run the 40 in 5.44. I was the quickest off the line and could help run down the quarterback and running back.
I moved to Tahoka in the middle of my sophomore year across the State of Texas. Tahoka is a 2A Division I, but larger than Clarksville. Tahoka has a JV team. Here my size and speed are not utilized. My position is used to close the gap and not break through the line. Coach Overstreet believes the play will be stopped by the linebackers instead of the line. I have been working hard to adapt to his defensive philosophy.
Some of my teammates get annoyed with me because I enjoy motivating my teammates and the people around me to work hard, achieve their goals and be the best they can be. I see this as a reflection of my character and my strength in leadership and problem solving skills. In Clarksville, I enjoyed being a part of the Volunteer Fire Department. I was able to learn how to handle emergency situations and think logically. I learned how to be a leader and take charge of a situation.
My academic goals are undecided between three; sports medicine/teacher, firefighter, or something in agriculture. I would like to be as knowledge as possible in whatever I choose; therefore my goal is to have at least a master degree.
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