Aldrich Gwynne '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Aldrich Gwynne and I am a Sophomore running for Glen A. Wilson High School based in Hacienda Heights. I have only been running for 2 years but I have found incredible enjoyment in the sport. I intend on studying and running at the collegiate level. I have consistently received academic honors throughout grade school, and I have stayed relatively active in the community. I pride myself on my work ethic and perseverance throughout adversity. I suffered great misfortune at the end of this cross country season.

For the first time in my school's history, the cross country team made it to CIF State Finals in 2019. I came up to the line as the 4th runner ready to make history, but tragedy struck. My left shoe came off at the mile mark, and I finished the 5k in my worst mark of the season. Devastated, I reconsidered my future in cross country and track and field. On the long 4 hour ride back home from Fresno, I began to understand myself as a runner and my aspirations. Every runner dreams of the glory of coming in first, and I was one of them. I thought that was the only value track, and cross country had, but that Saturday afternoon made me realize how wrong I was.

I crossed that line, and tears immediately rolled out, and they didn't stop. I was terminally afraid of the backlash I would receive from my teammates and my coaches, but no one said a word. They put their arm around my shoulder and just left it there. That moment right there was more precious than any finish will ever give me. I learned the valuable lesson that the team trumps the individual, and that lesson is one I plan to commit to for any team I go on. At that moment, I realized I would do anything for that name on the front of my jersey and everything it represents. Family. I intend to follow this into a collegiate team. My aspiration is not a specific single place, but to win as a team. As Eliud Kipchoge said, "100% of me is nothing compared to 1% of the team." I could not agree with this statement anymore.

I will fight for a place in that top 7 spots no matter how unlikely it seems, and I will fight for that college team title. You can expect relentless effort and determination.  I cannot promise innate running talent, I don't possess it, but I can promise raw dedication to get there. Hope to see you in 2022.