Matthew Fraijo '18 Recruiting Profile

I know that there is a traditional way to write this and that I could be telling you about my hard work, 3.9 GPA, Most Valuable Runner awards, my leadership on the team, my improved times and that I am an Eagle Scout. But I’m assuming every single one of the essays you read are just like that. No, I want to illustrate for you why I love running by telling you about the most challenging 5k course that I have run, which is called the Footlocker Invitational at Mt. SAC.

As I started my warm-up I could feel nervousness battling with an explosion of energy and excitement. I had heard of Mt. SAC and all of the horrible hills that come with it, so I admit there was some fear. I knew the first mile was flat so I wasn’t quite sure what my strategy should be, go fast or conserve energy for the hills. I also knew the second mile had the two hardest hills. This built up more anxiety before I even got to the starting line.  As I walked up to the starting line all of the nervousness started to flood out of my body and it was replaced with pure adrenaline, along with a feeling of love for what I was about to do. Then the gun went off and I was facing one of the hardest high school cross country courses in the nation. I ran the first mile a little too slow, but the three horrible hills were on my mind. I battled the Switchbacks, which was maybe the hardest part of the course, and it left me gasping for air.  But I opened my stride, took deep breaths, and let go on the downside of the hill. Just as I got my composure back I was faced with Poop Out Hill.  Poop Out is super steep at first, so I shortened my stride, leaned forward and pumped my arms.  It was a really hard hill, but I caught a few runners and was building my confidence.  It was a constant battle between my body and my mind, a battle where I would not let fatigue and the nagging side ache get the better of me. On the down side of the hill I caught my breath again and prepared for Reservoir, the final big hill. I pushed myself hard up the hill and was feeling great. I was determined to catch as many runners as I could on the final downhill and into the shoot to the finish line. I passed runner after runner on the flat part of the course.  I crossed the finish line at full speed. I would love to say that I finished in first place, but that would not be true.  More important than winning the race was the fact that it ended up being one of my best races during my first year of cross country.  I have since run there multiple times, but facing the Mt. SAC “beast” for the first time is one race that I will always remember because of the pain and the exhilaration of conquering the course.