Personal Statement
Hi!
My name is Marin McClowry, I'm 17 years old and live in Neenah, Wisconsin, and I LOVE track!
I've been passionate about track and field, specifically high jump, ever since I discovered my flair for the sport in 7th grade. I've competed in 5 seasons of cross country and 5 seasons of track, and plan to have 6 seasons of both under my belt by the time I graduate in 2017. I was drawn to track after trying every other sport I could imagine and realizing that none of them really worked for me. My middle school gym teacher encouraged me to give track a shot (pun intended), and though I went into my first 7th grade track meet not even actually knowing how high jump was scored, it didn't take long for me to realize that the high jump pit is where I belong. Track has made more of an impact on me than I ever could've imagined. Through the multiple teams I've been apart of, coaches I've been privileged to learn from, events that I have and haven't had a knack for, meets ended in tears of failure or tears of joy, I've learned more about myself than anything I've ever been a part of. I've learned about dedication, commitment, hardwork, and perseverance. My running career has been anything but easy, but I've come to find that, despite everything, nothing is more worthwhile or rewarding than lacing up my spikes and sweating it out on the track.
This fierce passion is what has driven my desire to compete at a college level! I have a feeling that by the end of my senior year, I won't be quite done with this sport I love so dearly. I have high aspirations for myself; goals to achieve, records to break. The opportunity to grow as a college athlete would not only give me the opportunity to conquer these goals and reach my peak as an athlete, but further help me prepare for my future. Track is what inspires me to continually work harder and push the limits in everything I do. Track has shaped my self-confidence and grown me into a strong and dedicated leader.
Although my freshman and sophomore seasons were met with more failure than success, this only encouraged me to completely reinvent my work ethic. In the fall and winter leading up to my junior season (2016), I spent every day conditioning and getting stronger and saw immense rewards from it. I was finally able to jump a pr of 5'5", took 1st place at both regionals and sectionals, and took 5th place at the 2016 WIAA State Track Meet with a jump of 5'4". Standing on the podium at state was a dream come true, but I also realize that my 5'4" jump leaves a lot of room for improvement between now and the 2017 season and plan to hit the weight room and the track even harder this year. I know I'm capable of 5'6", 5'8", and even higher and am willing to do whatever it takes to be successful. Along with my success in high jump in 2016, I was also part of a state-qualifying 4x400m relay team. Being part of the 4x4 has made me a better high jumper and a better teammate and running at state with my team was the experience of a lifetime.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me! I hope you'll consider me to represent your school as both a student and an athlete.
-Marin McClowry
