California by Carlos

California by Carlos - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

A school accomplishment I am most proud of is qualifying for CIF( California Interscholastic Federation) for pole vaulting in track and field for my high school.
I was introduced to pole vaulting my sophomore year right when track season started. I didn’t even know what pole vaulting was before starting track. My coach recommended that I try it out.
In my first few days pole vaulting I was proud of myself, In my first week I managed to progress all the way to eight feet six inches. I felt so happy vaulting, but then I competed against other vaulters with more experience. They said I was too short and not skilled enough to actually be a good pole vaulter. They claimed that my school wasn’t known for having great athletes. I realized I wasn’t the strongest or the fastest, but from there on I decided I was going to be the best pole vaulter I can be. I decided I wasn’t going to stay at the same height the whole season and began training harder than I did before.
I trained countless hours on my own and with my coaches. Although sore, I trained just as hard as the day before. Every morning I could feel my legs and arms crying, despite all the icing and stretching. Daily activities, such as lifting my arms to unlock my locker or carrying my backpack all day, caused pain that made me want to cry but this pain helped me progress as a pole vaulter.
Pole Vaulting was on my mind everyday. I trained harder and studied countless YouTube videos all about pole vaulting. I went from being a rookie that no one thought could be any good from a school that isn’t well known for athletics to someone who is recognized by coaches across the county for his skill and technique.
While, yes, I did continuously train extremely hard at track practice and on my own, Pole vaulting taught me how to be patient. I learned to check my step, I learned how to clear my mind of everything and focus on vaulting alone, and to wait for that one spot in midair to launch myself from my pole.
That moment I walked on the track for CIF was a moment of clarity. That moment I was happy, because I proved that I could do what others say I couldn't do, and that my school was now seen to produce great athletes. I was proud that I made it to championships and gave my school a league an athlete who can compete with others at a state level.