Jordan Willard '21 Recruiting Profile

I am a 4'11"  hard working, shy 17 year old.  Many people ask me if I am a gymnast when they see me because apparently I am built like one.  I was given the gift of muscular genes but I am not flexible!  

 I have had many disappointments around sports that I have had to over come.  I grew up loving sports and being active I played soccer, and volleyball.  Once I started volleyball I loved it and focused all my attention on playing club ball.  I began playing when I was 8 years old.  I tried out and made the club team when I was 11.  Two years later I made the top level traveling team and loved every minute of it.  I was pushed to be better and my coach was very hard on me but I learned and grew.  I continued to play on the travel team for the next few years.  I tried out and made the "Varsity" team in my middle school and helped my team win the city championship.  When it came time to tryout for high school the coach would not give me a second look.  They saw my height and told me, "there is no need for a short girl on a volleyball court."  There was noting I could do, I couldn't practice more, to get taller, I couldn't train harder, to get taller.  I felt defeated, I did not play a sport my Freshman year of high school but I was determined to still play volleyball so, I went back to tryout for the club team. Once again I did not  make the travel team due to my height.  I did play on the lower level team and was the team leader and motivator and got honored for being the player of the week often.  During this season came another blow. I was very close to my grandparents , while my mom and dad worked I stayed with them everyday for 5 years before I started school.  I had dinner with them every Sunday.  I believe that the time I spent with them help mold me into the person I am today.  On February 8, 2018 unexpectedly my grandmother passed away.  This was very hard for my grandpa as they were married for 58 years.  Six days later he passed away from a broken heart.  So in less than a weeks time, I lost 2 of the most influential people in my life.   I struggled with not playing volleyball and losing my grandparents.  I felt lost.  I prayed and asked my grandparents for guidance.  I spoke with my parents.  It then came to me, I knew what to do.  My grandpa was an avid golfer.  He made custom clubs and loved the sport so in his honor I decided to play golf.  I tried out and made the varsity team my Sophomore year.  I learned and developed my skills and enjoyed it.  My grandpa was with me!  I have played every year since.  It is an activity I enjoy doing with my dad and brother.  This year is my Senior year and we have many Freshman trying out for the team, I have taken them under my wing and am enjoying helping them develop their game. I have learned there is always another plan and that I am a strong person and have the support of many people in my life who only want the best for me. 

 My goal is to play golf in college (hopefully earn a scholarship) and get my degree in Criminal Justice.  I am interested in pursuing a career as a Forensic Psychologist.  I know I have a lot of work still ahead of me in both golf and college but I am strong and determined to reach my goals.