Personal Statement
Hi! My name is Lincoln Oertling and I am going to be a junior at Pope John Paul II High School in Slidell, Louisiana this fall, 2020. Soccer is one of many sports that I have played, but it is the only sport that I have played year round since I was 10. I simply can't get enough of it. My mother has been screaming at me for years because I always have a ball attached to my foot in the house. My collegiate goal is to be recruited by a winning Division I college and eventually work my way up into the starting lineup. I believe I can achieve this goal because I have great athleticism in every sport I play and I give 110% every time I step foot on the field, whether it be for practice or a game.
I am unique to the sport because I can use either foot whenever and however the play demands. The fact that I have been a 3-sport athlete for all of my junior high and high school career gives me an incredible athletic advantage to other soccer recruits that only play soccer year round. I have been playing center-mid since I was 10 on my first travel team. I started at this position for my high school as an 8th grader. The reason that I own this position is because of my vision of the field and anticipation of how a play can evolve. My strength is winning the ball in the midfield.
My parents have taught me to be humble so this personal statement is contradictory to that. However, this is where my character matters. Above all else, I have been raised to be a polite and respectful, good Catholic man. My family sits down to eat dinner together still, which is rare in comparison to most of my friends. I do not support bad sportsmanship, even after a loss to our rival. I do not drink as a high school student because I have a lot to accomplish in the future and I don't need those negative influences. Friendships that I have made in school and on the field are important to me. I try to make sure that I am always a good influence to my friends and two brothers. I believe that is why my coaches always name me as a Captain, even as a sophomore.
I have been able to maintain a 4.16 weighted GPA through my 3 years of high school, while lettering in 3 Varsity sports and playing travel soccer year round. This includes taking all honors since 8th grade and Advanced Placement classes starting sophomore year. I finish school practice every day at 5:30 and have to be at soccer practice at 7 PM, 3 nights a week. This has taught me how to focus on my studies in the little time I have.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
