Morgan Carrino '23 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I was little, I loved to run and always wanted to be the first and the fastest. When I was in Intermediate School (4-5) , the school provided a Runner's Club that I participated each year and in 5th grade we had a field day at the High School track. It was amazing to see how much faster I was than a lot of my peers and was awarded in more than one event. Once 6th grade came around, I finally got the taste of competition and it has never let go of me. I have what I want set in my mind and I always do 110% to make sure to reach those goals. I quickly found out the hurdles, 800M & 1600M are the events I have excelled in. In Middle School, I didn't participate in Cross Country but competed in soccer and basketball during these two years. Once I got to High School, I really wanted to run Cross Country but didn't want to lose my position on the volleyball court. Once both the coaches talked to the Principle to see if I was able to participate in Volleyball and Cross Country and they said they'd give it a chance. I practice both sports, played in the band, volunteered with our Youth Mission Trip group throughout the community, and received a 4.0. Since knowing I can be disciplined to do my work well and the loyalty I give to my teams, it has made me realize I can run at a collegiate level by continuing to reach my goals for myself, my team, and my coaches. I am a year round competitor and I know it is hard work but it is worth the goals I see for myself in the future and will continue pushing forward to do my best academically and as your athlete.

Through this entire process, my mom has been battling Metastatic Breast Cancer since May of 2016 and it is a very inconsistent part of my life but has also made me a stronger person. My mom is always there cheering me on at all my events and the strength I see in her, I know is inside me. She is always positive and there when she is able to. It is not something I would wish onto any other family but we just take that part day by day and focus on getting me to where I want to be because sports is something my mom and I have lot in common with. Sports is a great distraction for the big elephant always sitting in the room. We have pinky promised that no matter what happens, I'm still pushing on and will keep going after my goals because my mom is in my heart and she will still be watching over all my sporting events. 

Yes, I am determined to be the best me I can be and help achieve the goals for my team, my school, and myself. Another thing I am also passionate about is helping other people, whether in our community or during our Youth Mission Trips. My 8th grade summer, we served the Taylorsville, NC area and my 9th grade summer we served in an Indian Reservation in South Dakota through the Youthworks Programs. It has opened my eyes to the world and the need I have seen not only in my rural community but throughout the country. In these experiences it helps me remember the appreciation of all the comforts of home and to have my family, friends, teammates, and all those who support me in so many ways throughout my journey so far.