Personal Statement
As a proud anchor of my schools’ 4x800m team, I have experienced many nail-biting finishes. Being the last leg, the pressure is all on you to make up that gap, however, it’s within this adrenaline-pumping excitement that I strive. There is no track race I’ve ever run in that has been more memorable than the 4x800 in a dual meet against our biggest rival. I was a freshman running against a senior who had dominated me in the cross country. I respected him for both his overall talent and his sportsmanship. When I got the baton, he had a lead on me but I remained determined, locked onto him, and tried my best not to lose ground. I began to close the gap on the last lap, I pushed myself as hard as I could and ended up passing him in the last 100m. Not only did we win that race but I PR’d by about three seconds.
For me, running is all about setting goals, pushing yourself to the limit, and achieving things that you didn’t know you could do, both mentally and physically. Throughout my time as a cross country and track athlete, I have set many goals, even though I may not have achieved all of them I learned something new about myself each time. I also really enjoy the team aspect of running which often gets overlooked. Through the intense and physically demanding process of training as well as racing, there is a unique unbreakable bond that is formed under those conditions. I am searching for a program where I can excel both as an athlete and as a student. I also want a coach who will continue to help me push myself and a team that will support me as much as I will support them.