Sidney Monge '22 Recruiting Profile

A thick cotton blanket, the kind that comforted you during a thunderstorm as a child, but now it's wet. You would be so much warmer without the blanket, but it's too heavy to throw off. 

That is depression. Before I was diagnosed, I had been told it was a normal part of growing up, my parents would tell me that the teen years are always moody, that I would simply “grow out of it”. But how could anyone just forget and move on past those days where feelings became a physical barrier. I couldn't imagine anyone surviving, I barely did.

The blanket is off of me, but it's not gone from my life. It still tries to cling back onto my skin. When this happens, I run. The faster I go, with each stride, I can feel the blanket shaking off of me. Track has shown me know that my fight isn't over, that there is value in every setback. My past does not define my future. If anything, it has gotten me to stand up after every sprint and run the next one even faster. The bruises, scrapes, and sores have no effect on my will to train harder each day because I know that I have pushed through more pain and tears than any physical trauma can generate. From each day forward I will not only grow as an athlete and student but I will surpass any challenge put forth upon me, whether that be on or off the track. My future will hold success, I will bring positivity into everyone’s life, and most importantly, I will make you proud.