- 2020 Spotlight
Personal Statement
My name is Elias Cortes, I am currently a junior at Yorba Linda High School in California, and I play defense as well as long stick midfielder. Playing for the underdog team is something that has never been unfamiliar to me. Up until high school, I had been on a club team that would win only 2 to 4 games a season, and yet somehow my teammates and I never ceased to have fun.
Thus, when it came to joining my local high school team, where the expectations were held much higher, the only thing that changed about me, was the realization that I had never been more excited in my life. Immediately I grew fond of the rowdy, funny, yet serious and competitive players on the team, whom not only enjoyed having a great time on the field, but were certainly motivated to be the winners of the state cup.
Since then, it has undoubtedly become apparent that my ability to work, and be a unit with my teammates has increased exponentially. Whether that be revealed by the time when we made it through a four vs. six man down situation, or me jumping in to help a midfielder retrieve the ball while being pounced on by three opponents.
The same goes for my own skills and athletic ability. If it weren't for conditioning two times a week, and spending an hour during Sunday mornings with a defensive coach, then I wouldn't be as skillful of a lacrosse player as I am now. I will even go as far as to say, that if my team hadn't cheered "Family!" after every practice, then I would unquestionably not be as close to them, and not value those interpersonal relationships that constitute a team, as much as I do now.
Looking ahead now, I see an abundance of hope and opportunity in my future. Although the biggest challenge in front of me, is not only repeating the same display of skill and valor as I've already seemingly done, but to surpass that repetition and demonstrate how I can continue to build even further on those ideals in the future. With that, I not only hope to be at a University that emphasizes academic excellence, but will also provide me with the opportunity to find a new lacrosse family; one that will not only present high expectations and bring forth new challenges, but also introduce me to a new unit of individuals who value exceptionalism as much as I do.
