Kolin Fowlkes '16 Recruiting Profile

As a student athlete, I not only participate as a contender, I lead.  So few teams have true leaders and so few leaders have teams they can count on to follow them into battle.  I lead quietly, by example.  I lead cautiously, in my matches.  And I lead inclusively by gathering my brothers on the mat and joining their passion for the sport.  I can follow other leaders and join in their leadership of team motivation and I can gather my brothers in their times of success and failure to see them through to the next triumph.  

As a student, I have similar characteristics.  I tend to rise to the top of my class. Not intentionally, but because I was brought up to help others, strive for success and never settle for less than half way.  

I don't know that I have exceptional character, but others compliment me on being the step-child of a 25 year marine veteran who pushes for excellence in all that I do.  While I may not always have appreciated it growing up, it has served me well.  My family, though diverse, is little if not anything other that successful in spirit.  My father and grandfather run a ranch and cattle company that has been in the family for over 75 years, I hope to someday continue their legacy of success.  My degree plan will benefit the business they started and my aspirations are to take the company to the next level of success in ranching and agriculture.  

I don't wish for my life to be different, it has been rewarding in its complexity, giving me tools and character traits that make me strong-willed, determined, flexible to change, honorable in the face of diversity and tenacious.  I am different because I don't fit the mold of what I feel like is a typical student athlete represents. I feel like I have had a tough road, I fought through the tough times and I unexpectedly came out on top.