James Coomber '20 Recruiting Profile

I never saw myself being a runner until I got to high school, but I was inspired by my older brother who ran with the cross country and track teams at Verdugo Hills High School. I followed in his footsteps and by the end of my freshman year I realized running became something I loved doing. My sophomore year was very important in my running career because I was elected as a team captain, where I gained leadership skills and learned the value of teamwork. I also qualified for the Cross Country California State Championships of 2017, which acted as a turning point for me to start training harder since I was still relatively new to running. The next year, as a junior, I qualified for the Track and Field California State Championships of 2019 for the 800m. These events really inspired me to aim for running at the college level.

One defining characteristic of mine is that I have always been very dedicated and hardworking, whether it be in academics, running, or Boy Scouts. My goals include attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, receiving a high level education at a great university, and ultimately working in the field of Physical Therapy/Sports Medicine. I believe that my experiences in sports will be a valuable asset in my future career. I want to be able to give back to sports for the influence it has had on me.