- March 2017
Personal Statement
Athletics have been a primary focus of my life from a very young age. I competed as a competitive ice skater for fourteen years of my life and at the Junior Olympic level for three years. I placed second at the Leon Lurje Trophy Cup in Gotenburg, Sweden as the youngest international competitor ever at the competition. Attending the third best high school in the state, I began my track career as a freshman and instantly fell in love with the sport. Going to practice everyday after school and training year-round is something I look forward to. I would be enthralled to continue my Track and Field career at the college level and hope to further improve on my journey to do so.
Along the way, I have overcame many obstacles that together, have helped to shape the person I am today. I experienced a near career-ending injury in the seventh grade; in one freak accident, I dislocated my hip, tore the ligaments off my hipbone, and tore several quadricep muscles. I was told by several doctors that I would never be able to perform any type of rigorous athletic activity ever again. To me, this devastating news was simply unacceptable. The nine long weeks I was bed-ridden, I took the time to visualize myself where I wanted to be-my goals, aspirations, and future successes. Once able to walk, I began intense physical therapy and against all odds, was rehabilitated and cleared to compete. I came back stronger and more determined than ever. My work ethic can be attributed to my parents. My mother payed her way through college and has had to take up two more jobs to account for my father’s recent heart condition diagnosis. Their strength and dedication to providing me with the best life possible is admirable. The death of my best friend my freshman year serves as a very big inspiration to me. He passed away suddenly from an anaphylactic reaction. As someone who always supported me and my dreams, the loss was incomprehensible. Everything I accomplish in my athletics and academics are in tribute of him.
