Jacob Kappes '14 Recruiting Profile

My dream is to attend a D1 college as an athlete to pursue a career in track as a Decathlete. I've been interested in joining the U.S. Navy since I was a young boy, and would love to attend Annapolis or a college that has a Naval ROTC program. I also have my eyes on several other schools; all who offer a NROTC program, an aeronautics degree, and a decathlon opening. I am interested in majoring in Aeronautics and Engineering. Upon exiting college, I want to fulfill my life long dream and become a U.S. Navy Seal, and defend our country. I have always lived as a defender of righteousness and try to defend those that cannot defend themselves. After the military I would love to become a corporate pilot like my father.

I also play football as a wide receiver, cornerback, gunner, and punt/kick returner. I was Team Captain last year on the JV  squad and played Varsity as well. I have always enjoyed taking the leadership role in whatever I do. I recently won the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for leadership and academic excellence, given to me by my school counselor via West Point. I have competed in Olympic Weightlifting since I was 11 years old and was the US National Junior Olympic Games Gold Medalist and Best Lifter recipient in 2008. I continue to train using the Olympic lifts for track in a hybrid workout developed by my father based on former Soviet and East German training principles.As a result, I have a 33" vertical jump and an 8'11" standing broad jump as well as a 76kg (167 lb) snatch and 104kg (228.8 lb) clean and jerk.

I feel that I am just beginning to scratch the surface of my track career, and that I am well- suited to be a very good Decathlete in the near future. I have competed in Track and Field for 12 years; however this track season (2013 Outdoor), I have put up several personal bests (PR’s) including: 20’ 6” Long Jump, 5’11” High Jump, 12’3” Pole Vault. I  also competed in 3 Decathlons over 4 weeks this past summer. I won the gold medal in the USATF Middle Atlantic Championship on June 22-23, which qualified me for the Regional Championship in Jamestown, NY on July 12-13. I got the silver medal in the Regionals, and narrowly missed the Gold while qualifying for the USATF National Junior Olympics in only my 2nd Decathlon. During that Regional qualifier, I won 6 out of 10 events and was on pace to win the meet when I broke my nose in the pole vault while going over 12 feet into a faulty, broken-down pit. I continued in the meet and put up a solid throw in the Javelin, just off of my PR. I could not breathe, but finished the 1500 while bleeding profusely. I am very proud of what I did, and the fact that I did not quit. This is my calling card.  I am progressively improving and my motivation will drive me to achieve higher numbers. I just started hurdling, throwing, and training with a pole vault coach. My 12'3" height in the PV was basically without much training or instruction and also done in meets while high and long jumping. I hope to break 14 feet next spring. I feel that my goals are very attainable, and with proper coaching and continued training in all 10 events I could put up some very good numbers in the Decathlon. I qualified for and competed in the USATF National Junior Olympics as a Decathlete after only two meets. I am also proud of the fact that I have competed in the National Championships in two different sports- Olympic Weightlifting (Gold Medalist and Best Lifter recipient) and Track and Field (National Finalist). I believe that I would be an asset to any college track program based on my desire, determination, and self-motivation. Ultimately, though, I see track and field as a means to an end to get a high level education and reach my goals in the United States Navy as an Officer.