Avery Junk '23 Recruiting Profile

I have been doing some type of sport for as long as I can remember. I played softball, soccer, basketball, rode horses, and swam as a kid. I was most serious about swimming. I swam competitively since I was 7 years old, but recently decided to quit swim and focus on my running. 

I started running in middle school. I didn't like it, but was decent at it. When I went into high school, I made varsity for cross country and track. I had a love-hate relationship with running. I loved the community and camaraderie you get to experience with your team, but the running was not enjoyable. This feeling towards running really peaked during my sophomore year. I experienced difficulty breathing and would hyperventilate and almost collapse at the end of every race. Running was so hard, and I was at my breaking point. 

Then, I went to the ENT doctor, where he suggested that I get surgery to have my tonsils and adenoids taken out. I had my surgery in January 2021. It was life-changing because I no longer had any issues breathing. Since then, I joined a running club that has helped me reach my goals, given me structure, and changed my outlook on running.  My first cross country season since my surgery went well. My team got second at the state meet, and I placed 4th individually.  

Before, I never would have given running in college a second thought, but now it is all I can think about. I want to use the gifts God has given me to point others to Him. I believe that running in college will give me that opportunity. I can't wait to see what is in store for me and my future with running.