Personal Statement
Everyone is experiencing tremendous loss with the current circumstance regarding the Coronavirus. Although it may not measure to the magnitude of the loss others are experiencing, one thing I have been struggling with is the loss of my 2020 track season. In my sophomore year, I had achieved so much success personally and with my team that I couldn't wait for my junior year to come so I could build off of that. However, my situation changed when a pandemic broke out and tore those opportunities away from me.
Despite this bump in the road, my plans have not changed. I set out for this season with specific goals in mind, and I have made sure that every day since my end of the season at groups last year was spent making sure I'd be able to accomplish those goals in 2020. Luckily for me, my high school's throwing circle is only about a block from my house, and in a remote enough space that I can train unbothered in these times of social distancing. I am also fortunate enough to have a home gym where I can continue to build my strength. There is no way of telling when things will go back to normal or if I will even have any chances to officially compete this season, but I know that regardless I will be working every day to make sure that when that time does come, I will be ready to succeed.
There is no way of updating my official PR marks, but I am excited to say that I have hit some impressive PRs with Coach Mark Mirabelli, the highest having been 129, and have been consistently in the high teens and lower 120s in practice sessions at home. I have been able to continue learning from Coach Mirabelli, being creative and safe with social distancing. I also send videos for his analysis and refine my drill work based on his feedback.
My official marks on my profile are all from my sophomore season. During that season I was able to meet and work with so many talented throwers and coaches. From camps, clinics, competition, and training sessions, I had truly been given the opportunity to learn from each person I interacted with and attain the goals I set below.
- I was able to throw 4 discus PRs this season, finishing with a PR of 108’0”.
- Place in my conference. At the NJAC Conference Meet at Wallkill Valley, I threw my best throw of the night and a PR of 107’7” on my last throw in the finals, which jumped me two spots and into third place overall.
- Defend my back to back Morris County grade-level championships. I claimed first place in the Morris County Sophmore meet, the third year running.
- Qualify for the NJSIAA State Group Championships. This was one of my best individual achievements from this season when once again, my best throw was my final throw at 106’9” to jump me 3 spots ahead into 5th place (at Sectionals) to move on to the Group Championships the following weekend.
- In my second season working javelin, I was able to jump my PR by 20 feet during the season to my current PR of 93’6”.
- An added bonus was my team and I placed first in the discus at every single relay meet we attended this season- East Coast Relays and Morris County Varsity Relays being the largest.
I attended the Penn State track camp at the end of June and also the UPenn track camp on July 6, which helped me make even more progress towards great things for 2020.
I am so grateful for the unconditional support from my friends and family and the opportunity to be a part of the throwing program at my high school. Through the ups and downs of competition, I have learned the values of determination, effort, confidence, and desire. I'm looking for a college that challenges me both academically and athletically. If there is anything I have learned in the past few years of my life in general, its that a little bit of effort goes a long way, and I am willing to put in that effort to achieve whatever goals I set and excel to the next level. Aside from my athletic ability, I feel that my encouragement, positivity, leadership skills, and dedication will make me a valuable asset to any team. If I join your team, I can promise that I will be the best thrower, teammate, and student I can be!
