Mariah Willard '24 Recruiting Profile

My name is Mariah. I started running track in seventh grade, and from then on I have never gotten tired of the opportunity to race. I started training for my main track event in ninth grade-- the 100mh hurdles – and ended that year with a season's best of 16.49, and 50.56 in the 300mh. I attend a small Christian high school with limited athletic resources, these small setbacks have led me to establish time management skills helping me balance strong grades in a rigorous honors curriculum. I was named captain of the track team my sophomore year and was surprised to see the impact I had on the rest of my team through the example I set. This gave me the confidence and motivation to continue my journey on the track. During the winter last year I brought home a hurdle and trained myself for the upcoming season of 2023 and concluded that season at state with my current personal records of 15.05 in the 100mh placing 2nd, and 45.11 in the 300mh placing 1st. That season, I led my team to get some of the highest scores our school has ever gotten. For this approaching season, I hope to break 15 for the 100mh, and get in the lower 40's for the 300mh. 

My desire to lead through example drives me to pursue an education and future career in business consultancy, where I want to use my ideas to motivate my team to help companies.

As a student athlete I believe I could strengthen the necessary leadership skills that I am growing right now with my hands on experiences making my career a meaningful one.

Through the sport of Track and Field, I have found a long-term value in discipline, and leadership, but most of all I have witnessed all that a dedicated athlete can accomplish and have formed a passion for helping others achieve their best as athletes. I couldn't be more excited to surround myself with collegiate athletes and work together on a higher level in the future.