Personal Statement
Growing up in a small town farming community has never held me back from putting myself out there. My family back ground consists of several generations of Military,Farming Hard working Men and Woman that I believe have each given me a good sense of work ethic, Integrity and Morals that really set me apart in everything I do to excel in life, not just Athletics.
My parents worked all the time ,many times taking us kids with them they would say to show us what choices we did not want to make , learn what we did not want to do in our lives. If we ever had a shortage of money, or material things, I never knew it because of that great relationship and consistent encouragement from the both of them. I remember as far back as the third grade excelling very easily in all physical activities, but I felt like my academics took much more effort. At this age I found out I had dyslexia. I refused to be labeled so I put in the extra work. I refused any special education plans, even up to today, I make sure I have great communication with All my instructors and just continue to work hard. I remember I was never punished if I had a less than perfect spelling test, I would be on myself trying to correct mistakes before anyone else had the chance to. My parents would take my focus off of that and remind me of how important I was to the team or sport I was playing at that given time. Sports was where I found that pride, and much needed Good self esteem that would help me through tough times. Times that you never even think could happen to you when your just a kid.
Continuing in all sports that were available to me from the 5th grade on, I excelled and was eventually asked onto several Elite travel teams. From Football, to Soccer , and Boxing. These teams were not only extremely time consuming, but expensive. My parents always found ways to make it happen. Their expectations were clear I was to give above 100% at every level have a good attitude, be appreciative and play with Heart. I have always been a self motivated person. I really think what sets me apart from any other 17 year old guy is I have never had to be woken up for school, told to get to a practice, or turn in homework. I am friends with everyone , even though I am not your ordinary teenager .I don't hang out on weekends with friends much, I like to be in control and have a fun time without outside influences negatively affecting my choices. I drive an hour into the city , three to four nights a week just to train with some of the most amazing Golden Gloves Boxers. Many of these guys do not even have parents, or the parents they do have are on drugs or are not a positive influence for them. I am the only white farm kid who trains with them to be better at football, But those guys are the most amazing , mentally tuff loyal people I have known. I am thankful to be a part of that family.
I continue to Work with my Dad ,Surrounding myself with positive goal oriented athletes, trainers throughout the week and every weekend. It is the foundation that keeps me grounded, focused on being the best me, and wanting more.
Junior year was in every way the most challenging time in my life. My only sister has a Brain Injury since her Senior year when a drunk driver Hit a car she was a passenger in, Still My Mom has always managed to be supportive and be there whenever I needed her. Things went crazy fast, when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last year. For me I had to step up. The coaches were not interested Anymore in accommodating playing soccer, and football so I had to make a decision. I remember my parents saying "what do you see yourself doing in College? What do you feel like you are really good at soccer or Football ? Most of all what do you think you could really move forward in for your future? I was coming off an amazing season in football playing inside backer, Starting Outside backer, Kick Off, Field Goal, and even Punting I felt great. It was a hard decision but There was just something so special about being on the field lining up all alone for the Kick , everyone screaming at you, To be able to channel that into a peaceful moment... to shut out all the craziness, everything around me ... and successfully make the kick.
I felt was My contribution, what I was meant to do.
I committed to Solely Football. I spent countless hours fine tuning my kicking abilities, with my Mom sick I could not go to many camps, The money was not available. I was too Young to travel from where we live way out in the Country alone. I did not want to put more stress on her What if she needed me? Still I could not give up so I did what I could Myself. I stayed fit, boxed, stretched, my dad would come home from work meet me on the field we would set up my wizard holder and he would video my steps, my times, making corrections and reviewing it all until we couldn't see outside anymore. The season started and I was feeling confident. Nobody knows what you are going through at home, I was never brought up to make excuses so I did not tell anyone either. I was doing a great job, but my coach had a kid from the soccer team that he wanted to bring in to kick? I just continued to work hard, thinking If I was my best and better at the position I would be fine. I learned a lot about politics, as I kicked off for the first game of the season...and then hardly played at all until the fifth game after a win parents flood the end zone to greet us, and from No where My eyes flooded. I felt defeated, I questioned every decision I had made, every play, all my extra invested time? I was broken, in mind and spirit. I still don't know why the coaches chose to let a soccer kid who I played with prior to walk in kick and leave, not work out, not practice but I had to pull myself together somehow. Junior season ended and I did not touch a ball until nearly the end of January. My mom sat me down to say, she beat the Cancer.
She wanted to celebrate, she had more energy and wanted to help me get back to my kicking coach. I was less than excited, When she said
" Do You Love to Kick? because if you did it for me or for Dad then DONT!!..For the first time I said I do love it, I just ..Guess Maybe I was not as good as I thought I was? She insisted that for all we had been through Was I going to allow those coaches or anybody In my life to ever make me feel less than what I knew I was capable of, or meant to be? I understood at this moment God has been guiding me back to things he wants for me I just need to listen. Worried that after my Junior year was a bust.. I said what can I do? She said you either quit, or you can double down. You work so hard and be so good they cant deny you! You put in Your heart and soul pray for guidance and no matter what you will have won.
I spent every possible moment at every camp, free or whatever I could attend. I extended myself to anybody who had information or something I could learn to better myself. I got the chance to teach what I learned from the camps to some Young kickers who may never have the chance to experience what I did. I have a stretching regiment making my core and kicking abilities far surpass what I was doing at that time. I continue to work out with the boxers at the gym, and I Have had an incredible turn around. I was invited to the Top Kicker In America Event in July, and did great, but learned so much more, while working with and meeting some amazing people in my field of the sport. The best part of learning from this adversity is I got to spend time with my mom, now in remission and I can now look at what happened and apply it in a positive way humble myself to stay motivated, help others and be a true asset to any Team or Coach that I am blessed to be a part of.
My dream first is to play at a D1 level, outside of my state. I feel that it is a huge Honor to really extend yourself beyond your comfort zone, and to be accepted and embraced from the highest level possible.I am eager to find that perfect fit and bring my part to the table and be proud of what I can contribute, as a Specialist.
