Nelson Gates '20 Recruiting Profile

I was watching Star Wars one time and I saw a great quote that said “Belief is not a matter of choice but of conviction”. At the time when I saw this quote, I didn’t even try to comprehend what it meant or how it related to me. It wasn’t until the end of my Sophomore year of cross country where I really understood and acknowledged how valuable that quote was.

It was what could be our last race and our coaches were pushing us to go all out. I couldn’t do it though because I was terrified and shaking in my pants, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the cold breeze that was coming. “You guys can all do it, don’t think just run” my coach said. My teammates and I walked over to the start line and began our warm ups. Even though the sun was out my hands felt numb and my teeth started to shake like a rattlesnake. I had a fixed mindset that I didn’t have a chance to win or even qualify for the next race. Just before the race they told us that the top 5 teams and top 7 individuals advanced to the next race. Without further ado the official blew the whistle and shot the gun.

 The race was now under way. As I ran through the forest I saw runner after runner past me up “why did I ever join cross country?” I said. It felt like a million years, but finally the finish line was in sight. As I steadily picked up speed I heard my coach say “Let’s go Nelson!!! You're almost there”. I don’t know what it was but somehow my coach’s voice made me run like a raging hurricane and I began to sprint as if it was for my life. After the race the officials announced those who would be advancing to the State Race. If I had never doubted myself and only thought about running I might have been able to advance to the next race. “ I will never lose a race without believing in myself or my team again” I say to myself.

Junior season of cross country kicks off and I improved mentally,physically, and was selected as team Captain. On top of that I get top 10 in each of my races and make the all regional team. I had a new sense of inner power and this time it wasn’t just me and one of my teammates at the sectional race, but my whole team. With my new found strengths and my team with me, I wasn’t going to count myself out so easily. My moral was high and my confidence was unmatched. “Boom!” the race gun kicks off the race and I zoom off. I ran the first mile as fast as I could and I only got faster. With each passing mile I increased my speed and the number of opponents I was passing. ”Oh he’s dying go get those other boys” I heard from somewhere in the crowd as I approached the finish. “Oh really” I say. I wait for the runner behind me to get close then just leave him in the dust and in doing so I somehow pass three other runners.

At the end of the race I found out that I now held the record for my school’s fastest three mile run with a 16:52 and I am the first runner in the history of the school to advance to the state race. “Thank you god, for everything you have done” I say to myself. Even through all the achievements and gains I was able to acquire, I learned that great heights are achieved through hardships and a strong inner belief in yourself.