Personal Statement
Growing up, I was the kid that wouldn't stop. I was the kid that was constantly running, climbing trees, riding bikes, playing football, or snow skiing. I was that kid until the age of 12 when I was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. At that moment, my world stopped. I was no longer allowed to be that kid. I was allowed to play video games, bowl, or golf. Don’t get me wrong, those are fun activities but they are not my activities.
During the first year of my sideline, I made it my goal to get back on the playing field. I sat down with my cardiologist and explored options to reach my goal. He cleared me to kick for my middle/high school football team. I spent two years kicking for hours day after day, but I knew this was not my activity. I knew I had to have more playing time on the field. So, in January 2021, I spoke with my cardiologist about playing lacrosse. He cleared me to be goalie for lacrosse and that became my goal. It was no longer about the “no’s”, it was about this one “yes”.
I picked up a goalie stick and set a goal to start in a Varsity game. I took shots from upperclassmen, I took shots from my siblings, I cleared to my dogs and I watched the film. Right before our first game, our coach announced that I would start as a Varsity goalie. He said that it wasn’t a permanent position, but I knew it was my position. The first goal was achieved, the second goal was set - keep my position! The second game of the year went into double overtime and we came out as the victors. I had reached my goal of starting Varsity goalie and received a bonus by breaking the school record for most saves in a game (23 saves). We played sixteen more games and had our share of wins/loses. Through it all, we did it together.
Goals are the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. I have set new goals for the 2022/2023 seasons – break my two existing school records. For the 2024 season, my goal is to be a collegiate lacrosse goalie.
