college essay by Tricia

college essay by Tricia - February 2017 Scholarship Essay

Every track star wants fame and respect, every athlete wants to succeed in the sport they love and play. When you’re in you're starting block patiently waiting for the gun to go off, you’ll just be there on the blocks wondering am I going to fail or succeed before I can even think about the answer, the gun goes off, my heart begins to beat 20mph as sweat begins to pour down at the side of my face. The muscles in my body are aching and it suddenly starts to cramp up. This is the feeling you get from running a 400M it feels as if you were doing a death sentence. As you slowly approach the last stretch on the track you can hear your teammates cheering you on, as you begin to approach the finish line and the question enters your mind again “ will I fail or will I succeed “. This is the life of a track star that nobody will ever understand.
Track and Field is one of the many major sports in my culture, growing up in Jamaica I was always a tomboy I never liked to do girly things like paint my nails, get my hair done or dress up. I had so much energy at a young age I did everything you can think of, I was inspired by many track stars that represents Jamaica their performance would motivate me to become a better athlete.
Ever since I was young, I was always into sports, I played volleyball and soccer; I always possessed a natural talent of speed; which is why I started to run Track and Field. Throughout my years in high school I have learned to tune my body to deliver a maximum performance on the track for competition. This has become my passion supported by one goal that I set for myself is to become the best; the best on the track and the best at whatever I do. I also share this feeling with my fellow teammates, so I can help them become better athletes and better individuals. Being the co-captain for my team has helped me develop into a better person. Track will always be an everlasting passion of mine, and it has become a positive tool in my life; it has made me into a stronger person physically and mentally. It kept me to focused in school and on the track, it has kept me on the path, free from harmful substances that are damaging to the mind and the body. The feeling and experience is so exhilarating that it made me a stronger person and it helped me develop a better mindset for college.
Being on the team has developed me into who I am today. Track has made me a stronger athlete and a more confident young woman. I realize that the safety net that high school provided for me will no longer be available. I am faced with the reality of needing to grow into a mature, responsible, young adult. Most students are not afforded the opportunity to have teammates and family with them as they grow and compete. Being a member of the track team has created life long bonds that I will alway cherish. My teammates and coaches are an extension of my family that I love and care about. The commitment I made to the sport has put me on track to achieve my personal greatness and being ready for whatever the field of life has to offer me.