Sarah Taplin '12 Recruiting Profile

My name is Sarah Taplin and I am 5'7" tall. I currently live in Nova Scotia, Canada and will be graduating from Auburn Drive High School in the class of 2012. For the past three years, I have been competing nationally in Canada in track and field. During this time, I have won a National championship in the Triple Jump and have also placed third in Long Jump that same year for my age category. Furthermore, I have also had the privilege of competing in the Canada Games held on Prince Edward Island in 2009 by representing the Province of New Brunswick in track and field. At the age of 14, I was one of the youngest track athletes at the Games competing against 22 and under females. Additionally, I have been competing nationally in the Canadian Legion Youth Championships for 17 and under athletes and also the Canadian Junior Championships for 19 and under athletes.  In Canada for ages 17 and under, I am currently ranked 5^th in triple jump and 7^th in long jump from the 2011 Canadian Youth Championships.

I realize that I have started my recruiting process late, but I would love to pursue my post-secondary education in the United Sates by competing in track and field. As for my academics, I am currently taking science and math courses with the intention of continuing on to pursue a Degree in Sports Medicine or Kinesiology. The Colleges in the States that most appeal to me are the schools in a warmer climate, because I have lived in a snowy climate all my life and a little sun would be nice! I am also interested in schools in a warmer climate because of the added benefit that I could train outdoors year round, which I believe would be very beneficial to my obtaining personal best performances throughout the years I compete.

Two years ago, I went through a coaching change when my personal coach Rod MacKenzie retired in 2010. During this change, I joined a track club called ASEA in Moncton, New Brunswick. I did enjoy the club atmosphere, but at the club I had a new coach with very little coaching experience in triple and long jump. Even more, I started to develop shin splints as I was training on a poor track surface, which largely affected my sprinting times. Recently, I have moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia in August 2011 and have now obtained top notch coaching from one of the best Sprint/Jump coaches in Eastern Canada in coach Peter Lord. Since I have been with Coach Lord, I have noticed my technique in triple and long jump improving. Coach Lord has also begun concentrating on developing my strength with a weight training program and developing my sprinting technique so that I may obtain personal bests in my sprinting, triple and long jumps. I am so excited to have Coach Lord’s assistance as it will be easy to obtain my personal goals and personal best with his guidance.

Not only has my participation in national athletic events ecnouraged me to become a better athlete, but it has also allowed me the opportunity to strengthen my leadership and speaking skills.  This past outdoor season, I was on team New Brunsiwck and was named Female Captain of the track and field team.  During this time I represented New Brunswick at the Canada National Legion Youth Championships in Ottawa and presented a speech, in French, in front of all the Provincial Teams competing in the Nationals.  The speech was about how much it means for young athletes to have the opportunity to compete nationally  during our High School years.  I also talked about the sacrifice our veterans have made for us to be able to live free and for their outgoing support of the National Legion Youth track and field Championships where the young athletes like myself in Canada have been able to come together and compete.

Overall, I have set high goals for myself, but with the right training and coaching I know these goals can be reached. My goals in Track and Field are to one day make team Canada and attend the Worlds. Even more, I hope to one day attend the Olympic Games representing Canada, and I know that with hard work and determination I can accomplish this. I have a strong vision for my life and I truly believe that with the right College and coach in the United States I will have the opportunity to obtain this vision. My dream is to attend College in the United States, and to be able to do this any scholarship opportunities would be very appreciated and would greatly help!