- July 2020
Personal Statement
I haven't decided on my field of study yet but have varying interests in several fields. My sister is on a soccer scholarship to a top program in California and is a Bio major and is kind of following my mom, who is a nurse, into the field of medicine. My older brother is a senior in college and is majoring in Criminal Justice and hopes to go into Law Enforcement or Homeland Security.
I love playing soccer too but realize the chances are minimal to get a good sized scholarship since men's team only get 9.9 scholarships in D1. I kicked seriously for the first time as a High School freshman when they brought football back to our school, it was short lived as the program folded after just a few games. Last year as a sophomore we did pretty well in our first season back for the program and I was the All OIA D2 2nd Team kicker even though I only got to play in 6 games as I was returning from a summer soccer injury. I was also selected by Scoring Live as a D2 All State Honorable Mention Kicker so that was kind of cool with me having played in 5-6 less games than everyone else. I feel my leg strength on kickoffs and FG's might've been a big reason I was selected despite lower stats from playing just those 6 games. Its more than power though as I pride myself on my accuracy and also the height I get on my kicks. Im reaching the back of the end zone and often out of the end zone on kickoffs but I also get good height so if kicking into a strong headwind prevents a touchback, my kicks are still in the air for a long time and my ST guys have ample time to get down and cover.
On FG's I have always kicked straight off the turf and not used a kicking tee. My dad felt why start with a bad habit in relying on a tee for extra height when eventually I would not be allowed to use it anyway. He felt learn the correct way early and I would be better for it in the long run. I think my soccer skills have helped me become a better kicker, there are very few if any kicking coaches out here in Hawaii so I have relied upon my dad and fellow kickers who are friends who took time away to teach me and help me get better. Kickers who have made the jump to D1 at Stanford and UW. I am very grateful to them both and hope to pay it forward like they have and give back to younger kids when I am established.
My sister ended up having quite a few offers but she chose her school because it felt like the perfect fit to her and where she would be the most happy. The school is strong academically, great facilities and a terrific coaching staff she really connected with. Im hoping I have the same experience where I visit a school or a coach shows interest in me and I find I love the school as well as the football program and just feels like this is the right spot for me. I go in with no expectations or preferences and just want to see whats out there.
My goal is to find the right school for me where I not only can fuel my passion for football and becoming the best kicker I can be but also to get a quality education, which will be a strong foundation for my life going forward. I want to be the definition of the student athlete and where my success extends from the classroom, to the weight room and onto the field. They are all connected and all have to be in synch in order for me to help my team and myself. I know what needs to be done and the level of dedication and work ethic need to be at. Im firmly committed to working as hard as I can both in the classroom and on the field and so I hope my dreams and goals fall into place. If they don't, it certainly wont be from lack of effort on my part.
