Nathaniel Phillips '16 Recruiting Profile

The gun sounds, my body fills with adrenaline and I am off. 

Determination. I remember my teacher telling me that she could see how determined I was to learn, to succeed, and to become the best person that I can be. Even though I can remember her saying these words, it took me a while to understand what this truly meant.

In middle school, the head track coach approached me and suggested that I join the team. I laughed at first but decided that going to a few practices couldn’t hurt. After only two practices with the team I realized that I had a raw talent for competitive running. At first my times were average but with practice, coaching, and sheer determination, things changed.

I began running and lifting weights every single day and saw my times go down. I became hungry and determined to see them decrease further and further. I shattered a school record and saw my name go up on the leaderboard as one of the best runners in the school. I was doing it.  I was succeeding. I was “beating” myself and I liked that feeling of accomplishment and pride. Quickly, I fell in love with the art of running and yearned for more challenge. Everything in my life made sense. 

I have been running for over six years now and cannot imagine my life without the sport. I love this sport because it has changed my life and defines how I face challenges in my life. Each challenge is a new race and must be met head on, laces tied, ready to go. Just like every race, I must face every new challenge with a sense of purpose and determination, ready to crush whatever may come my way. For this reason I desire to compete at the collegiate level, to continue the fight and persevere even in the face of challenge. I am eager to begin competing and training at the collegiate level so that I can push myself to new limits and confront new challenges with a sense of pride and determination. Because when it comes down to it, determination is the greatest motivator for me, and I am determined to never be status quo.

At the start line I am forced to confront my previous times and am determined to make this race, this life challenge, even better. At the start line is the man I was; at the finish line is the man I am to become.