About Me: My Journey from Freshman Varsity to Chasing a Collegiate Running Dream

In 2021, as a freshman, I made a life-changing decision to take my passion for running to the high school level. Having run cross country in 7th and 8th grade, I was determined to prove something—not just to others, but to myself. Growing up playing baseball, I once had a coach who bluntly told me I could never be a good runner. That stuck with me, fueling a fire inside to prove him wrong.

That summer before freshman year, I joined varsity workouts alongside upperclassmen. It wasn’t easy — I faced criticism and doubts, but I stayed focused on my goal of making the varsity team. I pushed myself every day, sometimes running with the varsity group, other times keeping pace with the top JV runners. When the school year started, I was thrilled to discover I made varsity. Running a 5k in 19:19 was a proud moment, a testament to the work I had put in.

But the road wasn’t smooth. As the season went on, I struggled to break the sub-20-minute barrier again. I realized the challenge wasn’t just physical—it was mental. I needed to overcome my doubts and keep grinding. Then, just as I felt things were turning around, disaster struck: I sustained a severe knee injury, involving ligament, tendon, muscle, and nerve damage. This happened days before crucial races and nearly shattered my season—and my spirit.

Despite the injury, I refused to give up. I stayed involved, attending meets to support my teammates and proving my dedication went beyond just running. My recovery was tough and humbling. It taught me discipline, patience, and resilience. I realized that motivation isn’t just about cheering crowds or race times—it’s about showing up, day after day, even when things are hard.

By the end of that freshman season, I was proud to earn my varsity letter. It wasn’t just about what I ran on the course, but the fight I showed off it. That experience set the foundation for my sophomore year.

My sophomore year became a pivotal point in my story. After recovering from my freshman injury, I stepped into the season with both excitement and apprehension. I had something to prove—to myself, to my team, and to everyone who doubted my ability to come back stronger. I started the cross country season gradually regaining strength and building confidence with each race. There were ups and downs; some races didn’t go as planned, and I often battled self-doubt. But every week, I chipped away at my old times, rebuilding my mental resilience alongside my physical endurance.

During track season that same year, I pushed myself harder than ever. I started experimenting with different race strategies and distances, learning how to handle discomfort and how to pace myself smartly. Some meets ended with PRs, others with frustration, but every experience taught me something. I began to understand that growth doesn’t always come in straight lines — and that even setbacks carry value when approached with the right mindset.

Junior year was both inspiring and humbling. It was the year I fully realized I wanted to continue running both cross country and track in college. That dream gave my training a new level of purpose. I committed more seriously than ever before, not just during the season, but in the off-season too. I started studying the sport more, focusing on recovery, nutrition, and the mental side of performance.

Still, the journey was far from smooth. I faced lingering fatigue and mental burnout at points, especially when balancing academics, training, and life outside of sports. There were races where I underperformed and days where I questioned if I was good enough to run at the next level. But those struggles ultimately deepened my commitment. I stopped comparing myself to others and started focusing on becoming the best version of myself.

It was through the challenges of my sophomore and junior years that I learned how to truly enjoy the process. Wins felt great, but it was the daily grind—the cold morning runs, the hard intervals, the team bonding, and the small breakthroughs—that made me fall in love with the sport all over again.

Senior year was filled with highs and challenges. In cross country, I had an amazing season, qualifying for States—a milestone I worked tirelessly to reach. Unfortunately, injury kept me from competing at the event itself. It was disappointing, but I embraced the lesson that success isn’t only about the final race—it’s about the journey to get there. My track season was even better, though I fell just short of qualifying for States. Those near misses taught me to appreciate every step of the process, not just the finish line.

Through this journey, I’ve learned that mindset is everything. Adversity, setbacks, and even doubts are part of the path. What defines an athlete isn’t just the wins or losses, but the resilience to keep going and the ability to find growth in every challenge. I’ve also grown to appreciate the diversity of my experiences—different races, different sports, different obstacles—all shaping me into a stronger, wiser athlete and person.

Now, as I prepare for the next chapter, I’m proud to say I will be running at Trine University. This new opportunity is more than just continuing my athletic career — it's a chance to build on everything I've learned so far. I hope to grow as a collegiate athlete, push my limits further, and contribute to a team that shares my passion and commitment. At Trine, I’m excited to develop not just as a runner, but as a leader, teammate, and student ready to embrace all the challenges and victories to come.