Noah Whitaker '21 Recruiting Profile

When I was in 8th grade I realized how much I loved hurdling in track.  I was able to get some private coaching with a personal trainer throughout the off season.  Coming into my freshman year of High School my trainer wanted me to set some goals.  My number 1 goal was to make it to state.  I had several people telling me that, it was a good goal, but that freshman don't make it to state in track.  I knew that my first step was making it on the varsity team.  Once I made it on the varsity team, I knew that nothing was going to stand in my way.  I worked the hardest I have worked at anything in my entire life.  I had been having a successful season coming into districts and knew that all I needed to do was place at districts and I was on my way to state.  I gave my everything to that race and ended up placing 2nd behind a senior.  I was in, I had made it to state as a freshman.  Standing on the track at Boise State University, I knew that my next goal, the goal I wanted more than anything, was to run track in college.  I knew that one day I was going to be a student athlete in college.  My sophomore year my next goal was win districts, make it to state and get a new pr at state.  I was able to accomplish those 3 track goals.  I couldn't wait for my junior year, because my new goal I was adding to that year was not only to make it to state, but my new goal was to win 1st at state.  I had been training throughout the whole winter season.  As spring approached my junior year I was ready, I had trained hard and my times had improved so much.  I knew I was going to win state.  Then my world collapsed as COVID-19 hit and my season was cancelled.  It was the hardest thing I had gone through in high school.  I had been working so hard, training extra hours in my own time and now my season was over.  Everything about the year 2020 once the pandemic hit was hard.  I continued to work hard.  Knowing that I wouldn't have a junior year of times and experience racing.  I knew that I couldn't be lazy and get out of shape.  Now that I am in my senior year track pre season, I am so glad I kept working hard to keep in shape.

Throughout my years of being a student athlete, I realized how much I loves everything about sports.  The amount of work required, how important a healthy diet and proper sleep is, the physics involved and that sports isn't just about going out on a field or track and doing what you love.  I had a teacher ask me if I was interested in sports medicine and gave me some information on it.  As I read through the information that he provided me, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in sports medicine.  I have been taking classes in high school to help prepare me to continue my sports medicine career in college.

I have taken that mindset with me throughout so many other aspects of my life.  In football, track, school and life.  I learned a valuable lesson my freshman year.  That no matter what other people say or think, I am in charge of my destiny.  I am in charge of my successes and failures.  The hard work I put into aspects of my life, end up bringing the most success and happiness.  I have a little brother that is a freshman this year.  I have been spending more time with him this year working with him on his athletics.  Talking to him about how important these high school years are and how he is in charge of his future.  I enjoyed watching him play his first year of high school football.  One of the greatest moments in my high school years playing football was the game my little brother was able to suit up for varsity his freshman year and be on the sidelines with me.  He had the best game of his freshman season and was rewarded with a varsity game.  I was so proud of him that night, and continued to be proud of him the rest of the season.  I like being a positive influence on my younger class men, helping them, coaching them and encouraging them to set their own goals and work hard at them for the same successes my hard work has shown me.