Brianna Hunter '17 Recruiting Profile

Konnichiwa,

I am from Misawa, Japan and I have traveled the world with my Air Force family. Resilient is a word that I would use to describe myself and I've learned over the years as a military brat to "adapt and overcome" new challenges and withstand trials. The military child is compared to a dandelion because it's a survivor in a broad range of climates, can bloom all over, but the roots remain strong. My motivation is to "Be better than you were yesterday" to continue to excel in my high school track and field career.

While always striving to be a better athlete, I enjoyed a fair amount of success in high school track and field because of my strong work ethic. During my freshman through junior seasons, my track and field boys team was first in our Conference, girls team was second in our Conference and 8 people advanced to State, including myself. As additional information, my current personal record for shot put is 40'7" while averaging 39. I have advanced to State Finals in Jefferson City, Missouri my Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years.  My freshman year I placed 12th in the State of Missouri contending in Shot Put for Class II. I finished with a throw of 33”5’.Before State I was averaging 33 feet in every meet. My sophomore year I advanced to Missouri State Finals sitting at 9th in Shot Put for Class III finishing with a throw of 34”5. Even though I got further than many other throwers, I was very disappointed in myself and was determined to do better my junior year.  My dreams came true by working the hardest I ever worked in Shot put and ended up in the Missouri State Finals for my third time. Going in I was sitting at 4th place with a throw of 37’’6’. Finishing, I ended 3rd in the State of Missouri with one last throw of 40”7’. At the end of my junior season I was named MRVC East Conference.

In conclusion, I can now appreciate what track and field has taught me about myself. I have learned that I thrive in a competitive environment and any opportunity to challenge myself. My track and field experience has also taught me to enjoy intense preparation and working with a team toward a common goal, even when there is no personal reward or recognition. I have also learned to remain persistent amid disappointments and when conditions are not ideal. My goal is to one day to apply these same lessons in a career as a Special Education teacher. The intense preparation required for teaching, the need to work toward a common goal, and the ability to perform all tasks without seeking personal glory are all tools that I have utilized in track and field over the past three seasons. These are ovearall lessons that I will continue to apply to my life and eventually my career in education.