Derek Gross '16 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is Derek Gross. I am 17 years old and live in Neenah, Wisconsin. I attend Neenah High School where I am a student-athlete and compete in Track and Cross Country. I have a 3.73 GPA and a 30 on the ACT. Running is definitely the most important thing in my life; its my passion. My primary event is the 800m, but I also run the 1600, 400m and the 5K in cross country. I first started my running career when I was in kindergarten running intervals with my Dad. Ten years later I have competed in numerous track and cross country meets, and have proven that I can compete at the highest level. I have qualified and ran at nationals 9 times and finished on the medal stand in the 800 in 2014. I began to realize how successful I could be in middle school after I set school records in the 800m, 400m, 4x100m and 4x200m and was the winner of the Ole Jorgensen award, given to the best athlete/leader in the school. In high school I started off my freshman year by being named Third Team All-FVA in the 800m. In my sophomore year I decided to join cross country and give up football so I could improve myself on the track. I ended up making the Varsity squad by the end of the season. For my track season, I was named Second Team All-FVA and Second Team All-Area in the 800m and qualified for the state meet in the 800m. Later that summer I finished 8th in the country at the AAU Junior Olympic Games and got to the medal stand in the 800m. For my junior cross country season I made First Team All-FVA and Second Team All-Area and qualified for the state meet as an individual. My junior track season went well and I have had some great times and performances so far. I qualified for state in the 800m and won our team's distance MVP award. Also, I have developed myself into a great miler this season. Prior ro 2015, I had never run the mile in a meet before.

I think that my strongest characteristic is my work ethic. I have come to the realization that this is my only life and I want to live it up to the best of my abilities on and off the track. Every day I strive to work harder and smarter because I don't want to waste this opportunity of a lifetime to compete not only to run in college but to become the best at what I do. I also think I am someone who is a good leader and leads with his words and by example. For the upcoming 2015 season I was named a captain of the cross country team as well. I think I would make a great addition to any college squad, I am willing to do anything to get to success. I hope you consider me for representing your school as a runner and a student.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me!

-Derek Gross