Personal Statement
The turning point in my personal athletic journey was when I started my freshman year and had the opportunity to train with the US Ambassador of Krav Maga (Israeli hand-to-hand combat). This unlocked a new-found “warrior mentality,” and triggered a completely different approach to my mindset, gameplay, and confidence, both on and off the field. Simultaneously, I was the only freshman selected to play for the varsity team, and started every game in a position I had never played previously. While others might have been intimidated due to unfamiliarity in position, I jumped at the chance to play at a higher level, enabling me to see the field and experience the game from new perspectives. I learned the values of commitment, teamwork, and leadership. I pushed myself to maintain my grades, achieving Honor Roll, and remaining involved in my community during the season and throughout my entire freshman year.
I challenged myself to seek out and get noticed by a more competitive club and worked hard to secure a starting position on one of the top club teams in the state of New Jersey, and subsequently, to train with their USL Academy team. Luckily, this new environment includes something I am looking for in my college career-- a coach/mentor who both respects his players and commands the best of us as students, athletes, and young men.
In the face of a global pandemic, I returned to the varsity field during my sophomore year with the sole focus of leading by example, to enable the team to complete our season while remaining healthy along the way. Unlike other teams in the state, we successfully finished the season with full-team cooperation, only to lose the state semifinals in a heartbreaking penalty shootout.
As I wrap up my high school career and begin the journey of finding the right college, I am looking for a school that will continue to challenge me academically, athletically, and continue to foster the “warrior mentality” in all aspects of my life.
