Alondra Church '21 Recruiting Profile

I have played field hockey for five years and love the team work and spirit of this sport. This past March, during my freshman year, I decided to join the track team in order to stay in shape for field hockey and improve my speed. I had no idea that I would fall in love with track and field. I didn't know the events, how to get out of the starting blocks, and even missed the first week of spring practice. Two weeks later, I ran in my first meet and, much to my surprise won the 200 meters. I still have a lot to learn but this year I am involved with winter track and field as well as field hockey tourneys. Next year, I plan to drop winter field hockey except for a few invitationals and go full gear into track. As a matter of fact, one of our track coaches gave me brochure of a summer program in Australia this year. My Dad was okay in supporting this endeavor until we realized it overlaps with my educational tour in Ireland through my high school. I will look into year round opportunities next year, including local winter competitions. My Dad is a full-time professor and I can go to many colleges and universities via a Tuition Exchange Program. Frankly, I do not need a scholarship to to defray college costs. I want to earn a scholarship and compete at the highest levels. My Dad and I watched USC win the outdoor NCAA championship this past year on the last event, the 4X400 relay. Their anchor came from about 30-40 meters behind to win by less than a meter. It sent chills up our spines. That is the type of experience I want to have. I love team competition but thrive on individual competition.