Matthew Cheung '18 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is Matthew Cheung. I am a 17 year old student who is currently attending school at Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute in Scarborough Ontario Canada. I have recently developed the passion to run in late 2015. After a devastating loss in the school 2016 Toronto Championship, which was the qualifier to go to the provincial championship, I decided to join a track and field club. I am now part of Phoenix Athletics Association. Ever since, my times have continued to improve and I enjoy running everyday. In school I strive for around an 85 average and I get my inspiration from my family and my grandfather who ran for the University of Idaho on a track and field scholarship. I believe I am different from the other recruits because I believe that I show hard work and dedication to the sport. I also believe I can take on the role of a leader as I try to with my school cross country and track and field team. I also cooperate with coaches and fellow athletes and I always strive to improve no matter how hard it can get. I did not start competitively running until late 2015-mid 2016 (which is when I joined Phoenix). Many of my fellow recruits have been running for years whereas I have only been running competitive club running for only a year and my times have improved significantly. For example my 3000m time dropped from a 10:39.9 to a 9:04.8 and my 5000m time has gone from a 21:45- 16:11 within 2 years of running. I believe that there is so much more I can offer and I have not gone completely to my limits as an athlete and I want to continue to strive to improve. I believe for academics I am different and significant because I try to be a leadership in the classroom and I try to help others as much as I can. I like to meet and talk to everyone and usually I develop strong bonds with classmates and teachers so I can get help and provide help whenever I or others need. Thank you for reading and for your time.