Arlo Garner '19 Recruiting Profile

    Everyone goes through obstacles, or hurdles as I see them, throughout their life. My biggest hurdle was when I experienced the loss of some very good friends. My freshman year my best friend committed suicide. This affected me immensely, I fell under depression and anxiety, it was the hardest time of my life. My schooling was affected drastically. I lost interest in everything and often wondered if there was even a point to anything in life. All joy in my life was eliminated. I failed to finish the last semester of my freshman year. I had truly hit rock bottom.

    Sometimes you have to be knocked down lower than you've ever been to be able to stand back up taller than ever before. You are given a wide variety of different chances to rebuild who you want to be. This chance was given to me in the form of a new school. I retook freshman year at Cotopaxi high school. Still plagued with depression I didn't know what to expect. Soon I found an escape through athletics. Before I was just a skinny kid who didn't have any drive, but a new fire emerged, burning brighter than ever before. Football, Basketball, Track, whatever the sport, I would feel absolutely free from all worries when I would run. It came so natural, I was soon the fastest kid in the school making a name for myself by being funny, friendly, helping, and encouraging. My grades were the best hey had ever been and everything in life seemed to finally be going in the right direction.

    Going into my Senior year of high school, I will continue to be a leader in athletics and academics. I love helping others become the best they can be. In turn I hope it makes me be the best I can be. I have a burning passion for hurdles and as I excel each year in getting Personal records one after another, I look forward to new competition at a college level. I want that drive to make me better, not only on the track but also in the classroom. I want to study business and psychology to be able to help younger kids with depression and ultimately go into coaching. With everything I have been through I am completely content and happy with the life I live. Thank you for considering me to be your next college student athlete!