Matthew Farnsworth '23 Recruiting Profile

I’m a leader.  I’m on the first team.  I’m the coach’s first option when winning is on the line.

 Those statements were true when I competed in year round club sports:  basketball, soccer and baseball.  Even when I started running cross country in middle school against 7^th and 8^thgraders.  However, I was just another athlete during my freshman year of high school having to prove myself, earn my spot and gain the respect of my teammates and coaches.

 In mid-August, the cross country team held its inaugural race where the seven fastest runners earn their Varsity jersey for the upcoming meet.  I couldn’t believe it, I finished fifth and earned my spot on the Varsity team for the first race as a freshman.  That next meet would be my first and last time I would run Varsity as a freshman.  I trained and worked hard the entire season to earn back a Varsity spot but continued to fall just short of posting a time that qualified in the top seven positions.  Finally, I finished with the seventh fastest time at the last league meet.  I was so excited thinking I would be running Varsity during the league finals.  However, the coach decided to put a senior on the roster that finished with the 8th fastest time.  While I was disappointed, I focused on doing my best for the team in the frosh/soph race finishing third overall at the league finals.  I continued to train with the Varsity team as an alternate for CIF Prelims, Finals and State meet lettering as a freshman.

I was also a point guard on the JV basketball team as a freshman.  I was nearly two months behind the rest of the team due to the cross country post season.  I wasn’t used to coming off the bench but kept focused and working hard to learn the plays as well as the other players.  I wasn’t a starter through the preseason tournaments and the start of league play; however, I was on the court during the fourth quarter when the game was on the line.  I became a starter midway through the league season and led the JV team to a one loss season and the league championship.

COVID-19 may have brought an unexpected halt to my first high school track season.  In addition, the pandemic has now impacted my sophomore year of cross country and basketball.  However, I am still very focused on my development and training to compete at the next level.  So when the gun goes off or the ball is tossed in the air at half court again, I will be ready to do my best and help the Varsity cross country and basketball teams compete for league championships, state titles and hanging another banner in the gym.  A natural athlete is only as good as the dedication and effort one puts into training.  I want to lead by example.  I want to be on the first team.  I want the coach to say:  “Matthew Farnsworth - it’s winning time!!!”