George Rivero-Kilian '19 Recruiting Profile

We are all unique. What distinguishes my character from other athletes is my sense of awareness.  I have a clear idea of the things that matter to me and that make me particularly happy, such as human kindness, access to culture, a good education, and a continued sense of challenge.  Perhaps because I've witnessed effort and I've also had to earn what I have wanted the most.  I am referring to things that most people would take for granted.  For example, when I was 10 years old,  going to school meant waking up at 5 a.m. to make it to school by 9 a.m.  It meant choosing to live without my father for three years, in order to further pursue my education in the United States,  while he stayed in Europe.  As a youth-translator, I witnessed how kids in Honduras walked for hours to get something as basic as clean water every day.  What I learned, was that effort goes a long way and, also, that these experiences would never have been a success without the presence of others.  Alongside every individual effort, I have witnessed the immense value of kindness and solidarity from others.  So, awareness has made me ambitious, disciplined, patient, and grateful.  

I would define myself as a "cognitive runner". I plan my races according to objective parameters and training results, and I take very calculated risks, without being affected by those taken by fellow team mates or rivals.  My locus of control is internal and my "fight" is for reliable improvement.  To do this requires a deep knowledge of running and of myself.  This makes me different from others, because I study the science of running, I do my research, and I observe how I respond to training and nutrition.  My results are good.  In quantitative terms, this means that I am progressing well on a growth curve and that I am in control.  

As a student, I would define myself as a "stoic"; equally hard-working and stable.  My growth is steady and my advancement is planned.  This approach stems from the awareness that development takes time and perseverance.  What distinguishes me from other scholars is my composure and sense of gradual improvement - an ability to not get nervous. This does not imply a lack of passion.  Mostly, it portrays that I know how to wait for results.  I am an accomplished student and confident that my grades reflect all that I know. 

The main reason I believe I would be a good candidate on a team is because I am aware of just how much more each individual can accomplish with team work.  A runner cannot succeed alone any more than any human being cannot succeed in life alone.  Development and success are the result of a balanced interaction of a coach's good advice and guidance, a team's solidarity and an athlete's individual effort.