Cristian Mendoza '24 Recruiting Profile

From the ripe age of five, I knew I wanted to be a professional basketball player, and my BIG dream was to play in the NBA. It's all I thought about, this was my one dream in life, and nothing or no one was going to get in the way of achieving this goal of mine. I worked diligently and passionately every day for years to pursue this one goal. Fast forward a couple of years, and playing in the NBA was still the one big dream that I had. This was my plan…graduate high school, go and play college basketball, and then go to the NBA. As I said, no one and nothing was going to get in the way of my pulling off what only 1.2% of humans can attain. Fast forward to my 8th-grade year of middle school, and everything drastically changed; my dreams were crushed. On September 6th, 2019, my life was turned upside down while playing in a football game and on only the second play of the game, I lay on the ground, not being able to feel my body, and at this moment, I knew something was seriously wrong. Sure enough, my back was broken in 2 places. I would have to wear a back brace 24/7 and years’ worth of physical therapy, and being unable to do what I truly loved broke me.

However, I kept thinking of multiple athletes who have been permanently paralyzed by injuries. I had heard of a football player, Corey Borner, who had a similar story but sadly wasn't as lucky. Corey wasn't able to stand back up. He was a DeSoto High School student and in 2009 while playing in a football game was injured and suffered  a spinal cord injury. Unlike Corey, I still had the chance to return to sports. 

Entering my freshman year of high school I worked harder than ever before. Luckily, throughout high school I encountered physical therapists who worked with me and helped me find my way back to what I am most passionate about…being an athlete. Even though I felt rehabilitated, I faced obstacles when attempting to get back on the field or on the court. The coaches welcomed me back with open arms, and I practiced hard and put in the long hours to prove that I was still capable of playing at the same level. However, I was suffering in silence due to  the unbearable pain I was enduring while playing. I didn’t want to let anyone down, my coaches, my family, myself. When track season began, I was hesitant to compete because of my constant back pain. Surprisingly, for whatever the reason, I didn’t feel the same degree of pain when running. God gave me another chance to play a sport and I was so thrilled. Thankfully in some of the darkest days in my life, I could keep moving forward with the help of my therapists and finding a new love for the sport of track. While listening to my body I came to the realization that running was therapeutic for me. 

 The road to recovery has not been easy, my high school years have been dedicated to hard work, intense therapy, and many sacrifices. These unique challenges helped me in so many ways. It taught me dedication, discipline, responsibility, and teamwork. I learned the value of hard work and determination, I learned the importance of physical and mental health, and how to overcome adversity. I learned numerous lessons that shaped me into the person I am today. I learned that in sports and in life we win, and we lose, we get discouraged but must get up and never give up. We get nervous, but we learn that the nerves make us stronger and more resilient.. I know the obstacles through playing sports helped me find my self-worth and confidence.

I have gained so many valuable lessons and lifelong skills that will continue to shape the person I am today. I am forever grateful for the priceless opportunities that running track has given me and I will continue to use what I have gained and lost to meet my future goals.