Katherine Schaefer '24 Recruiting Profile

I have always seen myself as a very goal-oriented person; both academically and athletically. There is always something that I could be doing better, in my opinion. There's always that extra second you can shave off a race, that extra point you can get on a test, or that extra millimeter you can add to a jump. My aspiration is to shave off that extra second, get that extra point, jump that extra millimeter, and take that extra step to achieve my ultimate goal. What is my ultimate goal? Becoming something worth all those hours I spent in the gym, on the track, and with my face in a book or computer screen studying. If I can be honest, I don't have a clue as to what the future may hold for me. I have thought about going into medicine and following in the footsteps of my parents. I have thought of trying something new and going into chemistry or biology, or even astro- and nuclear physics. I don't have a set in stone plan for myself yet, however, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I want track to be a big part of it. I feel as if I would be a good candidate for your team because I am strong-willed and determined, as well as very detail oriented. When it comes to track season, I focus every part of my routine to optimizing my performance; I go to sleep earlier, put careful thought into what I eat and drink, and use the weekends as a tool rather than as a couple of days off. Something my coaches have told me that I will never forget is that I am "mentally-tough." This means that when I want to throw up or quit during a tough practice, I suck it up and keep going. When I don't want to do anything on a Saturday I run anyway. Not only is there always something that I could be doing better, there's always that something that I could be doing to GET better.