James Murchison '20 Recruiting Profile

    The moment I knew that I had what it takes to play soccer at the next level was my freshman year of high school  when my team lost in the state final after a season that I will never forget. Despite the fact that we lost the game, I was determined to improve myself along with my teammates. Coming in to sophomore year, I was much more confident and felt an obligation to lead my team in the right direction even if I wasn't the captain. I have also taken what I used to improve on the field to improve my off field performance in school. Throughout my whole life I never seemed to stress over things that other people do like failing a test or missing homework because it's only one grade and it won't define my whole high school career. I feel that this separates me from most people because stress will not help any situation and the only way to improve is to just keep chipping away at the problem until you overcome it. When I was four years old my grandfather got me into soccer. My grandfather was a semi professional soccer player and he founded the club I first played for called Oceanside United soccer club. Through playing soccer I learned that I am very passionate about many things not just soccer. I noticed that the passion I have for certain things can push me that extra inch or get that big defensive play that can boost the morale of other around me. For what ever roster I end up on I will bring a positive attitude whether I'm on the field or on the bench.  

    My goal for high school in terms of academics are to have a 3.0 or higher and to get at least a 1250 on the SAT.  I want to go to a college where I can pursue my dream of majoring in the broad subject of business. To get to college would complete what I thought would be impossible maybe 5 years ago. At a young age, I was always the one who didn't understand the lessons and I had trouble making friends. I always had thoughts of how I'd just live off my brother because I had no drive as a young kid. I even saw therapist because I saw no future. As I got older I got myself into the right group of friends and found a new desire to succeed in life because I wanted succeed with people who care about me.  Something unique I find about myself is that I can find the good in any situation no matter how bad. If nothing else, taking your valuable time to look at me would be looking at someone who would bring a positive attitude to the team which can only help. 

On February 14th, I will be traveling to Puerto Rico with my school on a mission trip to help repair the villages devastated by the hurricane.