Makai Peak '24 Recruiting Profile

     I started running in my 7th-grade year in cross country. I originally played football for my school, but I was tired of performing to the best of my abilities and then having my team not even give an effort. I was hungry to work hard, to have a passion for a sport. I discovered that passion for running. One run is all it takes to be addicted for life, and that first cross-country meet changed my world. Running pushes your character to perform like never before with no one holding back the grit and the desire to win. Distance running isn't a race of the body for me as it is the mind, the sheer willpower, and the motivation of the heart. In that last mile of a race is where it comes down to who wants it more; who will say I quit first and who will say I am a machine? I became district champion in cross country and the 3200 meters my sophomore year in a dead sprint on the last 400 meters, PRing in both by more than 15 seconds. For me, no wasn't an answer and I prayed that God just let me take one more step. Just like that, my opponent's mind was beat and I took home hardware, a PR, and the biggest smile you would ever see.

     I believe God is calling me toward collegiate running as, through Him, my entire being does not rest until I perform to the best of my abilities in every race. I show up to every practice performing like it was a race so as to inspire myself and motivate my team. I always give 100% in all I do as I do everything for the Lord and for His will no matter how much people will talk negatively; you go into a practice with a steel mind. There is never room for doubt in my mind when it comes to a run. One other aspect about me that will even get me some jokes at school is that in every free moment I have I watch the NCAA races. I'll pause the 5k, 3k, and 1500 races to note the collegiate runners' form, shoulder movement, breathing patterns, you name it.

     Running is my passion and nothing could ever take that away and that is why I believe I stand out among other potential recruits.