Justin Rathburn '23 Recruiting Profile

 Hi Coaches, my name is Justin Rathburn. I recently completed my junior year at Council Rock North (CRN) High School in Newtown, PA and will graduate in 2023. I'm a member of the varsity track team (both winter and spring), competing in all sprints (60, 100, 200, and 400 meters), sprint relays (4x100 and 4x200), and the long jump and triple jump. I earned varsity letters in both track and football, which I played through junior year.  I love nothing more than the thrill of competition on the day of a track meet, and I'm excited to continue my track and field journey at the collegiate level.

Since I was a young boy, I have always loved competing, and constantly push myself to improve.  I've played multiple sports throughout my life, but it was only once I discovered track that I found my true passion.  At CRN that passion has been encouraged by supportive teammates and great coaches.  The highlight of the 2021/2022 indoor track season came in the 4x200 relay at the Track and Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia Meet held at Lehigh University. I anchored our relay team and we won our heat by almost a full lap, finishing 6th overall out of 73 participating schools.

I began the spring 2022 season with great optimism, setting PRs in several events early in the season.  However, I was sidelined for most of the season with a psoas muscle injury.  During that time of rehabilitation and mandatory rest, I supported my team in every way possible: mentoring the younger athletes, cheering on my teammates at events and doing everything doctors and my therapist suggested to optimize my chances of competing in our district championship.  Ultimately, I was not cleared to run in time for that big meet.  However, I was cleared for the long jump, setting a PR and placing fourth in the league. Given the circumstances, I was happy and my coach was ecstatic.  The fact that injury prevented me from achieving my original goals has made me that much more determined to achieve what I know I can - competing senior year at states in the 100 and 200 meters, as the anchor to our 4x100 relay team and, if I can continue to improve my form and my marks, the long jump.

While track will have a great deal of my focus, I will continue to concentrate on my academics.  It's my intention to select a college that has a culture that will allow me to thrive, and to select a major that inspires me - and then be the best college student and athlete that I can be.  I haven't settled on a specific major yet, but two careers on my short list are law and physical therapy.  In each of these careers, I can help people manage their pain (in different ways) and improve their quality of life.

My goal is to pursue track at the collegiate level, at a top tier academic institution where I can continue to push myself to achieve excellence in the sport I love most.