Emily Wheaton '18 Recruiting Profile

Why do you want to be recruited to play sports in college?

I have been practicing and playing sports, especially basketball, since I was 2 years old. Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to be the best basketball player that I could be. I have worked very hard on my game spending countless hours working on my skills in the gym, powerlifting in the weight room, and dribbling for hours in my basement. My parents have always supported me in my basketball career and I have been very fortunate to play all over New England in AAU events. I am hoping that all of my years of hard work and dedication will pay off by receiving a college scholarship to play the game that I love and to get a quality education at a great college or university.

Athletes are often leaders on and off the field. Please provide one example of how you have demonstrated leadership in both areas.

I have had the opportunity during these past 2 years to see how our upperclassman have demonstrated leadership in both sports. At Presque Isle High School, we have a strong tradition of leadership from our upperclassman. I have learned the importance of putting team first ahead of personal accomplishments and how to treat teammates and opponents with the same respect that I would want to be treated. I will be an upperclassman next year and know what it takes to be a leader. My hope is that I can pass it on to our underclassman, as it was passed down to me, to continue our winning traditions. Learning this positive leadership and passing it down to others is what I feel is most important when leading a team. Off the field, I always try to treat people with dignity and respect and treat them the way I would want to be treated. I feel that with my strong work ethic and faith in God, I will set good examples for others to follow. I believe that is the best way for me to provide leadership off the field where it is most important.

Please explain how you pursue "healthy athletic performance" as a student-athlete.

First and foremost I put God and family ahead of everything that I do. I love sports but it is not my life. I try to keep things in perspective when it comes to athletics. I am extremely competitive but I feel that my faith and character allows me to pursue athletics in a healthy way and not take it to an extreme. I give everything that I have and leave it all on the court or field. Whatever the outcome is, I know I did my best. I feel that this attitude is the healthiest way to pursue sports and more importantly life.

Please describe how you are involved in service in your community and why these efforts are important to you.

Alter Serving- I am an Alter Server at our local parish and have been since I was 8 years old. I am a devout Catholic and attend Mass every week even when I am traveling the roads during my AAU tournaments. My faith is very important to me and I do nothing without putting God first.

Student teachers aid- We have 3 weeks off for harvest break (a break that our school takes to help out our local potato farmers harvest their fields) and since I am not old enough to work in the fields, I help out at one of our local elementary schools. I have decided to pursue a career in teaching and coaching sports.

Assistant Coaching- My dad has coached my brother and I ever since we were little.  Now that I am in High School, I have been his assistant coach for my brothers travel teams.  I feel that coaching is what I would really love to do some day.