Juliauna Bynum '23 Recruiting Profile

Setting goals for myself has always made me push myself harder.

I started dancing and tumbling at the age of three. During my 2^nd grade recital, one of the local track coaches saw me tumbling in a jazz dance. He told me he wanted to see me pole vaulting when I was old enough. I never forgot our conversation, and as soon as I was eligible, I started practicing and jumping in meets. Toward the end of my 8^th grade season, I found a private coach who took me from 6 feet to 8.6 feet at state in less than a month. I continued working with him and made it my goal for the 2020 season to reach a jump of at least 10 feet by state. At my first freshman meet, my goal was achieved. I immediately set a goal to not only tie but beat the GISA AA state record. Unfortunately, at the 2021 state meet God had other plans for me. I was able to win the 2021 state championship, but had an off day  and did not beat the state record. I have chosen to look at this as a positive thing and am using it to push myself harder throughout the off season to prepare for the 2022 state meet. My goal before my sophomore season is over is to clear 11ft, so I will be attending as many summer meets as possible.

In addition to setting goals for athletics, I have also set goals for my academics. I will strive to obtain a 4.0 GPA throughout my high school and college career. After taking the SAT as a freshman, and scoring a 1020, my hope is to add 50 to 100 points each year, which will turn my score into at least a 1200. After taking it again sophomore year, my SAT is now a 1070.

On top of pole vaulting and schoolwork, I also have many hobbies. I have been a Westwood Cheerleader for five years, competed in pageants for 12 years, danced for 13 years, and drag raced for 8 years. I have been balancing a busy schedule for years, so I have what it takes to balance a schedule as a college student-athlete.