Otto Aaland '25 Recruiting Profile

Playoffs are where everything matters, where every mistake or accomplishment can change it all. It’s the final second of the final game. The screeching sound of the buzzer goes off. The game is over, and the score is 74 to 39. I was on the losing side. This was how my season ended last year and has enhanced my competitive drive. I have always had a competitive side of myself since I was a kid from my mom being a college volleyball player and coach. When my mom was a coach, I was able to see what it takes to be a college athlete when I went to practice everyday and shag balls for the team and just be around that environment. Also my dad was a sports information director for 20 years at the same college. Where I can attribute most of my sports knowledge to is from hearing stories and stats of my dad's dictionary-esque brain. So I’ve been growing up around sports since I was born and this has molded me into a true competitor where competing and winning is everything. From grades with other classmates to board games to anything where there's a winner and loser. This competition has truly helped me currently in the past year where I compete with myself to get better at anything and everything. From getting a higher test score than my previous test to having a higher shooting percentage during my basketball workouts. This competitive spirit is fueling me today to be the best person and athlete I can be.