Art Leal '22 Recruiting Profile

Hello my name is Art Leal I am now in my senior year at  McDaniel (formerly Madison) High school. McDaniel is a diverse, relatively small public school in Portland, Oregon, with a young and upcoming track and cross country program headed by my coach Ryan Keene.  I am extremely passionate and enthusiastic about running and display the ownership and resolve to run for myself and my team. I fell in love with running my freshman year. That year I had several senior mentors who taught me what it was like to be part of a team. They constantly pushed me both physically and academically to be the best version of myself.  Sophomore cross country season was a learning experience no longer having that kind of support.  However, I took a lot away from it and learned about the kind of leader and athlete I want to be.

I came into the 2020 track season extremely motivated and ready to race.  Unfortunately as you know, the season was canceled due to COVID-19, but I didn't let that stop me.  I took what I learned during cross country season and continued training on my own.  I saw improvement with several unofficial PR's during spring track and fall cross country seasons. 

1500m          5/22/2020         time trial (video)         4:13.9

3000m         5/20/2020          time trial (video)         9:03.9

2.96mi          12/5/2020          time trial                         14:48.5 (approx. 15:33.00 5k equivalent) (Road course apparently miss-measured the evening before.  Time/distance confirmed via GPS watch and phone tracking app.)

I would like to continue my running career at a college program that will challenge me athletically and fits my academic interests. I am still deciding what major I want to pursue, but am thinking about physical therapy or biology with a natural resources focus.

Thank you for taking the time to read my personal statement, I know you probably read a lot of these, especially right now. I hope to talk with many of you soon.  Until then stay healthy and please keep me in mind.