Claire Cornell '18 Recruiting Profile

     My entire life all I've ever wanted to do is succeed and compete at what I love. Basketball is at the top of my list of goals and dreams. It's not just about the two hours of practice after school, it's what I do on the weekends, my summer travel team, the pick-up game in the park with the guys and any free time I have to get a ball in my hand. Working hard on the court encourages me to work even harder in the classroom. It is what drives me to focus and discipline myself to stay on top of my busy schedule, because if it doesn't make a difference in the classroom, it won't on the court, so why not make the best of both worlds. Being organized and responsible in my game helps me tremendously with my school work, and I am so grateful for that.
      Basketball has taught me how to deal with issues and struggles that occur in daily life. An athletes’ worse fear is injury and I have had to deal with many of those at such a young age. I have learned to persevere through the pain, listen and take care of my body and to not only step up as a leader on the court but on the bench as well when I am injured. A leader is a leader no matter what role they are to play. I've had to deal with the struggles of recovery both mentally and physically, which not only helps me through basketball, but through life as well. To me, most everything is 1% physical and 99% mental, a strong mental game is a strong physical game, and I have learned that so much through basketball.
    When I am on that court I see and understand the game well. The knowledge of the game comes easy for me which helps give me the confidence to push myself to be the best I can be.  My goals and dreams are big but my competitiveness and determination are even bigger and I am ready to work for what it takes to achieve them.
 
      My team is my family. I will do whatever it takes to help my team get better. They have helped me push myself to be a better player, and in return I will encourage my teammates to do the same. Nothing makes me more proud than when we all work as one, whether we win or lose the game, as long as we have come together as a team, I’m satisfied.

  Playing college ball has always been a dream of mine. I know this is true for many athletes but for me everything I work for, on and off the court, in or away from school, has a purpose. In the end all that I have done will not be wasted but will help me be more driven and succeed at the college level and in life. Playing at the college level will be much more challenging, but that is what inspires me, knowing that is what I am working for and after I’ve done all that I can do to get there, I will look back and be grateful for all that I have learned to prepare me for my future.