Wesley Smalley '22 Recruiting Profile

I started playing baseball when I was four years old, but in Jr. High School I was the #8 player for 2 years in a row, just missing out on making our school team.  As a younger student in my grade, coaches constantly asked why I hadn’t been held back. I on the other hand wondered why I wasn’t a grade ahead as I had entered the 6^th grade having already completed 6^th and 7^th grade course work the year before via K12 online learning.  With baseball coaches pushing that their sport was more important than my academics, I decided to pursue a different sport during the baseball season, distance running.  With Cross Country Running, I found a group of like-minded individuals who place importance on academics as well as their athletic abilities.  In high school I also found a home with the JROTC program where I became a member of the competitive teams.  In Cross Country as well as with JROTC, importance was placed on being the best “well-rounded” version of you, versus only being the best “athletic” you.  While being a member of the Varsity Cross Country team and JROTC (PT, Orienteering, and Raider) teams I have continued to maintain a 4.0. I have continued to enroll in advanced classes  and Dual Credit classes though out my high school career.  I am a well-rounded individual and an asset as a student and a student athlete.