Esme Pounder '25 Recruiting Profile

Hi, I'm Esme, an aspiring heptathlete from the UK hoping to venture to the US to train and compete at the best level. I first started athletics at the age of 9 and ever since then I've fallen in love with the sport. I love the combined events as it brings a sense of community and friendship with other athletes as well as a large amount of variety and enjoyment being able to compete in many different events. Over the years I have competed in many major UK combined events championships such as English Schools and England Athletics Events. This year, in 2024, I achieved 6th place at the U20 England Combined Events Championships in Birmingham as well as 6th place at the English Schools Combined Events Championships in Stoke. As well as this, I have been invited to the England Athletics Talent Pathway for Heptathlon in both November and March as a result of my performances in the 2024 season. 

I believe athletics is a sport that can be majorly improved and I aspire to be a part of this. At my club, City of York Ac, I am part of the sub-committee hoping to improve the promotion of youth athletes within the sport. I am also a qualified level 1 coach and help younger athletes every Wednesday night to improve their sprinting technique and performance. 

Regarding academics, I achieved a distinction * in my first year at York College in Sport and Exercise Science Level 3 Diploma as well as gaining a 1160 points score in my SAT test. 

I believe I am a great candidate for US college teams as I am hardworking, motivated and a team player. I hope to achieve high performances in the US and build a great relationship with both athletes and coaches to gain the best experience possible. My goals for the 2025 season: high jump-1.70m, long jump-5.50m, shot put- 11m, javelin- 28m, 200m- 25.5, 100m hurdles- 14.0, 800m- 2:25, overall heptathlon score- 5000 pts.