Jamison DeFaria '20 Recruiting Profile

I never wanted to be a runner.  Basketball was my life throughout middle school and the earlier years of high school.  My dreams were to become an NBA basketball player and to play at a Division I program, however my lack of height and strength would limit my success because I was viewed as "too small" and unable to handle the next level.  Even through all my hard work and the passion I displayed, it did not seem that I could succeed at the level I so desired to be at.  But how does running fit into this?

I pursued cross country and track and field as a way to condition my body to be able to handle basketball's intensive action.  Interestingly enough though, I walked onto my cross country and track and field teams not knowing anything about either sport.  I simply thought that everyone ran the mile race as did I during my attempts at achieving the Presidential Fitness Award.  However, even with my lack of experience, I was able to win the majority of my conference races and enjoyed a comfortable first two years of high school.  I eventually realized that I had some potential in the sport, and through a steady increase in training to become better, I developed a passion for the the art of running.

Running has taught me various lessons throughout my brief four years competing.  Despite experiencing a change in coaching staffs each year throughout my career and not having a true positive culture for distance running in my city, I have persisted and remained passionate for running.  I continue to run and workout because if I have learned anything from the inconsistency of my school's running program and every obstacle I faced during basketball, it is that one must remain positive and work hard.  Regardless of any injury, doubt, or hardship that proved to be a formidable obstacle in school and sports, I was able to remain hungry, humble, and positive in pursuing my goals. 

Those are the traits that I will bring to a college distance program.  I am humble, driven, positive and passionate in any role I embrace.  Throughout my experience of being both a solid contributor and a captain on my cross country and track/field teams, as well as an ambassador in my school community, I have inspired my peers in different ways from various roles.  Therefore, I am able to provide my talents, motivation, and passion from any role given to me on a team, and even in a community, as I seek to assist in the overall success of any group that is willing to accept my contributions.