Personal Statement
I began my athletic career when I was eight years old. I started by playing Little League baseball. In Little League, I tried out different positions until I ended up as the catcher. For years, I participated in travel baseball, playing for various teams and building my skills as a catcher. When I was in seventh grade, as a favor to my neighbor who was trying to build up his football travel team, I joined the Maryland Titans and played defensive tackle on that team. I had never played before, so I enjoyed the physical aspect of the game, but playing football in high school was more serious. In my freshman year, I decided to try other sports, so I joined the football and track team. I really liked participating on the freshman team and I also liked the way my physical shape began to change. I devoted my time to working out to become the best football player I could be. After football season ended, I joined the track and field team and competed in the shot put competition to keep myself in shape during the off-season. After my freshman year, my passion and love of football increased, and I focused on my intangibles and technique to better impact my team.
The highlight of my career is winning the Patriot District title my sophomore year against our cross-town rivals, South County. Experiencing that high made me crave winning and instilled "a win or go home" mentality in my mind. I realized that working together as a unit, my team was able to be successful and I was proud to be a member of the team. When people say, "teamwork makes the dream work" it is a true statement and I learned that first hand. However, this past season, we lost to South County in the final game of the season and in the first round of the playoffs. Those two loses were the worst I have ever had to experience and I never want to feel that again. After feeling the high of winning, I felt the low of being defeated. Even though I gave my all, the crushing losses helped me learn not to go for the highlight play, but to do my one of eleven to the best of my ability to help contribute to my team's overall success. This off-season, I have been pushing myself and supporting my teammates so we can reach our goal of winning the state championship and getting our "revenge" on South County. That would be a great finale to my senior high school football season.
I believe I have the right mentality and work ethic to contribute to a collegiate team. I love participating in team sports because I enjoy the comradeship. While the quarterback might get the accolades, it is the O-Line that makes the game exciting! I really enjoy being a part of the O-Line. I really like the relationships I have made with my fellow teammates. I think that my enthusiasm will be an asset in college on and off the field.
