Alexander Francisco '21 Recruiting Profile

Hi, I'm Alex!  My track and field career all started by a comment made to me by my Navy Veteran grandfather Mike who said, "Hey Alex, have you ever considered running?  When I see you and your brother horsing around and I see you run, you're actually fast." I was 11 years old back then.  I listened to my grandfather and that summer, I tried a track club.  I did okay but I  knew I had a lot of improvements to make if I was going to take this seriously. From then on, I haven't stopped running, and it's been a process of continuous improvements to present.  First, giving props and credit to my grandpa for pointing me in the right direction.  Secondly, sometimes that's what it takes.  Other people seeing gifts and talents in you that you didn't know you had.  But what you do with it is what matters.

Speaking of what matters, I'm going to college to get an eduction.   I am first a student, then an athlete.  If I can get an education with a Biomedical Engineering degree AND represent my college as a track and field athlete, that is what I aspire to do and strive to excel at.  I have a pretty good track record (no pun intended) of being able to keep up with, and balance the demands of academics, sports, marching and concert band, extracurricular activities, volunteering activities, work, church activities and family life.  One of the most recent hard decisions I had to make (before entering my Junior year) was to decide to sign up for the Dual Program (earn college credits during Junior & Senior years while still in high school) or stay with my AP classes and continue to drive my GPA upward.  With the guidance and help of my counselor and parents, I chose the Dual Program for various reasons.  This is on top of being in year-round track and field (indoor, summer, high school), plus one-off training.  The point I'm making is, what I'm doing now (and the decisions I make) is all training ground for the different elements of college life...the pursuit of excellence in academics, excellence in training and performance in track and field, the learnings from failures and successes, the continuous improvements I will strive for, and the spirit of being open to being teachable and moldable (and being humble).  I don't have to be a Rockstar athlete on the team.  I am more concerned about approaching my college track career with excellence and serving where I am needed.  

Character-wise, I take pride in having come from a diverse heritage and culture.  It has helped shaped my outlook, perspectives and approach in things. (By the way, I'm what you might call an Amer-Asian-Rican--Half Filipino, 1/4 Puerto Rican, 1/4 Caucasian.  I converse in English but my parents speak to me in their native language).  Growing up, my parents made sure I knew my roots and gave me the opportunity to spend time in third-world countries like the Philippines, and they took me to not-so-nice places in Puerto Rico.  One thing (amongst other things) I've learned:  it is not all about me.  Additionally, adaptability/flexibility is a trait I have acquired.  I aim to thrive in whatever situation or circumstance that is in front of me.   One of my favorite movies is Forest Gump and as he always says, "Life is like a box of chocolates."  That's what I'm envisioning college and the track and field life in college to be.  Choices, decisions, circumstances, pivoting, and so on.  I will tell myself when the time comes, like I tell myself now, "get over yourself and roll with it."  ~Alex