Taylure Craven '20 Recruiting Profile

    Growing up, I played many sports from gymnastics, soccer, golf, tennis, dance, karate, and swimming. I learned from a very young age how to be competitive, to work for what you want, and to never give up. I was always told by my parents to Dream Big and reach for the stars as anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I really saw my dreams in action when my sophomore year I decided to play two varsity sports simultaneously in the same season while juggling my academic classes ranging from regular and honors to AP’s, to my active leadership in student council and as a student ambassador and finally to my volunteer work at our local community hospital. I worked day in and day out studying in my free periods, on bus rides, and into the early hours of the morning. I went to school for eight hours then went to tennis practice for two and a half hours then went to volleyball for two hours. I loved every second of my practices. My practices were the best part of my day, as I looked forward to them all day. I never missed a single volleyball game or tennis match that season. I drove from my tennis matches sometimes almost an hour and a half away to my volleyball game to run onto the court with my jersey and play. I loved the feeling of being able to leave behind anything that was bothering me at the door and “checked” everything that was on my mind outside of my practices. All these long hours of practices and games paid off when I was given an all-league award for top libero in volleyball and making it to CCS for tennis and remaining a personal record of being undefeated. I learned a lot about hard work and dedication and about being the last one to leave the gym at night. If I happened to be running late from tennis practice to volleyball practice, I would run my sprints or suicides at the end of practice after everyone left with just my coach watching and pushing me. This season taught me a lot about myself and the will to dream to succeed. 

    On the other hand,  at the end of my sophomore year, I got a concussion during a volleyball club practice. I collided with another girl as we were both reaching for the same ball and our heads smashed together then smashed on the floor. We hit our temples and immediately had an excruciating headache. I was out for about two months from sports and struggled in my daily classes to keep up and remain attentive. I remember seeing my athletic trainer at school the following week and him asking what had happened and if I was okay. He told me my eyes were extremely glassy-eyed and that I should take multiple rest breaks throughout the day. I vaguely remember the rest of the next preceding weeks but I remember myself trying to do my very best to stay in class for the whole period and try my best with nightly homework. I ultimately was exhausted and spent in every aspect. I thought I could keep up but it was as if I was constantly running at fifty percent while everyone was rocking a solid eighty-five or above. I felt depressed and unimportant. Playing sports and being able to do everything was who I was and defined me to a great extent. I learned more from taking a step back and out of my reality the importance of knowing your limitations and working your way back up to the top. I always thought I had to be the best constantly no questions asked. I learned the importance of being humble and counting your blessings. There are so many things we take for granted and me myself took my health and some of my abilities for granted. Although it was not the ideal situation of being out for a while, I strengthened my self mentally, physically, and emotionally so when it was time for my junior season, I was able to participate in all my endeavors back and stronger than ever.