My story

I started out as a club soccer player. I had been playing soccer competitively all my life until I discovered my talent for running. I spent countless hours a day trying to make myself a better soccer player; speed training, spinning classes at the gym, pilates, plyos, etc. I had dreams of playing soccer in college and eventually becoming a professional. Looking back on those dreams now, they seem foolish but at the time they made perfect sense. It wasn't until my freshman year of high school I was forced to open my eyes to the reality of the situation.

I was a very skilled soccer player; quick to the ball, attentive, had good footwork, and had very good endurance. As much as I tried to convince myself that soccer wasn't about size or strength, I lost almost every tackle and just couldn't keep up with the other girls physically. I was hurt when I only made the junior varsity soccer team at Great Oak my freshman year. Frustrated, I decided to try track and field after much persuading from a couple of the girls on my soccer team and the track coach. It was one of the best decisions that I have ever made in my life.

My freshman year of track and field, I set the girls freshman mile record at 5:21 and the school record in the 2 mile at 11:12. I was so happy that I had finally found my sport and running quickly became a huge part of my life. I liked running because it gave me something to feel good about; it was a feeling that no one could take away from me. I didn't have any coaches telling me that I wasn't good enough or big enough to make varsity; I simply lined up and let my times prove that I belonged. I couldn't have asked for a better freshman year. I had a coach that believed in me and a team that really loved me. Despite all of my achievements academically and athletically, I struggled to take care of myself and ended up suffering the consequences.

I became extremely sick during the summer going into my sophomore year. I was forced to take a year off of school and running and it was heartbreaking. Although I was able to realize that I needed to focus on my health, it was tough to sit and watch from the sidelines. I felt like I had let down my teammates when they needed me the most. It was a tough year to say the least; but in that year I spent taking care of myself, I learned how strong and determined I really was. I knew that if I was ever going to finish a race again, I would have to make it to the starting line. With the support of my family, friends, teammates, and coaches, I was able to run again and go back to school for my junior year.

It has been a long and slow journey. I can't say that I am at the place I would like to be in terms of running, or know that I am capable of, but I can say that I continue to work hard every day in hopes that I will get there eventually. I am proud of myself for overcoming the things that I have and even if I don't run the times I did my freshman year, I am happy because I know that I have given it my best effort. I have improved tremendously since my junior year of high school and I know it will only get better from here.

I can't wait to see what the University of La Verne has in store for me! And for all the Great Oak runners' that aspire to run at the next level, I hope that you continue to follow your dreams like I have. My best advice to you all would be to stay focused and realize that running isn't a perfect sport; if you give every practice, every workout, every race the best you can possibly give, you can't ask for any more of yourself!