- June 2021
Personal Statement
When I was 8 years old, I asked my parents if I could play baseball. I started playing in my local little league baseball club and instantly fell in love. My coaches noticed my talent and passion for baseball and encouraged me to continue my journey. In my next 4 seasons of little league baseball, I won multiple MVP awards, started in multiple All-Star games, and played for an elite baseball team.
In the 2017/2018 season, I was selected to play for an elite baseball team known as the Timbergrove Thunder. During the season, we travelled to Corpus Christi, placed 3rd overall, and I earned the Player of the Game Award. After one year of playing with the club, I was one of the best players, I brought an excellent attitude and mindset to every game and practice, and we became an extremely powerful tournament team.
Just one year later, we set off to Panama City, Florida, to play in another tournament. This time we didn’t earn ourselves a podium finish, but we had an amazing tournament as a team. With my time in America coming to an end, we packed up and made our move to Nelson, New Zealand. Once I arrived, I joined the Nelson Heat Baseball Club, and although in a completely different baseball environment, I found myself at home. In the 2019/2020 season, I earned myself the U13 MVP and a starting spot on the U16 roster. In my next season with Nelson, I earned the U16 MVP, placing 2nd in the NHI and 8th in Nationals.
As well as baseball, academics are a huge part of my life. Ever since I started school in America, my parents have been pushing and encouraging me to be the best I can be. Throughout my years in the states, I finished top in all my classes and was an excellent student. In middle school, I earned the Heart of a Leader Award for displaying remarkable effort while working with others. After moving to New Zealand, I earned the Writers Award in Year 7 for commitment and excellence in writing, and I was named Head Boy for the upcoming 2020 school year. In Year 8, I won the Best All-Round Sportsman Runner-Up Award, as well as the Top of Class Award. One year later, I was given the Deans Excellence Award and 2nd overall in my class. After Year 11, I was awarded with the Renwick Scholarship for being the top academic student as well as Top of Class for being first in English, social studies, and physical education.
During my journey, I have been focusing on improving academically, working on my baseball, basketball, and soccer skills, as well as my work ethic, fitness, and conditioning. Roughly three years ago, I started playing competitive basketball and soccer. For basketball, I have made the Year 8 Nelson College A-Team, the Nelson College Junior A-Team, and the U13 Nelson Representative A-Team. I have been playing for the FC Nelson 15-17 Grade for soccer primarily as a goalkeeper and won the Most Improved Player Award during the 2019/2020 season. After the 2020 baseball season, I was selected for the Strategic Initiative Award for my performance on and off the field by Baseball New Zealand. In 2021, I was selected for the Nelson U15 Representative team that placed 3rd at the National tournament in addition to winning the South Island Secondary Schools Championship.
One of my goals is to attend college in the US. Besides the opportunity to play baseball at the college level, I would like to experience college in America and all it has to offer. Academically, I have not yet decided what classes I want to attend or majors I would like to study. With colleges, I don’t have any limitations regarding size or geographical location. On the diamond, I would like to contribute to my team, as well as make an impact on my teammates and coaches. By being one of the first to practice and games, and one of the last to leave, I always put my heart and pride on the field. After graduating from college, I would move onto play baseball at the professional level and eventually reach my life-long goal of playing in the MLB.
