Sam Marcotte '20 Recruiting Profile

**To those who have noticed I changed my graduation year: It is because I'm enrolled in an early college program to get free college basically, and to do so I have to do a fifth year of high school, so I won't become an eligible freshman until 2020. **

I actually didn't start track until I was in the eighth grade. When i started, hurdles was actually the LAST thing on my mind. I wanted to be a distance runner, either 800m or 1600m. One day before practice started my coach pulled me aside and wanted to me try out my least favorite event at the time: High Jump. I was freaking out and wanted to find away out of it. I desperately went to my assistant coach and asked if there was any way out of it and she said one word to me; "Hurdles."

After that everything kept going from there. Didn't have any hurdle coaches in middle school so everything I know is self taught. I spent hours upon hours watching videos on improving form, improving strength, and cutting times down. Without track spikes and some old tennis shoes I was able to go pretty far in the season, having a 9.7 second time for my 55mH and a 30.01 for my 200mH. I almost qualified for the honor roll meet that year, but didn't quite make the cut. 

Freshman Year came along and everything was totally different. I was racing people up to four years older than me, the hurdles were raised two more notches, and more difficult schools to compete against. I didn't learn to three step that year and my times were consistent with around 18.1 second, which isn't what I wanted. I still kept working hard though and ended up setting a PR that year doing four step with a time of 16.86 at an invitational.  I made it to regionals and the conference meet that year, not placing, but competing very well. 

As a collegiate athlete I want to represent my school overall and the one who has blessed me with this gift. I will work hard, grind hard, and not stop until my goals are reached. This includes athletics, academics, and with my relationships. 

I know there's always going to be someone faster, stronger, and overall better than me, but I'm willing to work for every step it takes to compete at a collegiate level in track and eventually in my lifelong goal, at a pro level. My coach said something like this to me once, "Don't ever let anyone or anything ever shape your future or determine your success. If you have a dream, go hard after it. Don't stop until you reach your goal. Then when you do, keep on going." I hope to continue in the path towards success in my track career and not stop until my goals are surpassed.