Personal Statement
After running five years of cross-country and track, I have learned critical life lessons that I believe will carry me through my entire life. I started running in the 7th grade when I joined the cross country team in order to get in shape for my soccer season. It only took a few weeks, however, for me to realize I found a sport that I was truly passionate about. My love for running was solidified in 8th grade, when I won every race of the season except for one where I finished second. My freshman year was extraordinary. With a strong senior class to lead our cross country team, my team was state runner up in Division II, missing being state champions by only 19 points. Being on varsity that year with a team that good allowed me to learn from more experienced runners and discover how rewarding it is to better yourself for your team. That same year in track, I was fortunate enough to run on a 4x800m relay team that also made it to the state meet, but in Division I. We ran a 9:17 and I ran a 2:22 split. Since then, I have returned to the state championship meet in cross country two more times, once with my team and once as an individual. I have been named All-Ohio twice, finishing 15th and 25th at the state meet.
Freshman year, I received the Rookie of the Year award in cross country and the Will to Win award in track. Since then, I have received two MVP awards in cross country and two awards as the most valuable female distance runner in track.
I love to run because of the personal challenge it provides. There is always a next level to strive for, and whenever I have a disappointing race, I can look to my teammates, achieving their own personal goals, to inspire and motivate me. I hope to continue growing through this sport over my four years at a college that provides the academic and athletic rigor I seek.