Chelsey Espinosa '21 Recruiting Profile

Click link for video of me running! :)

https://twitter.com/HastingsTigers/status/1187822210439733249?s=20

I have big aspirations of bettering myself, and perfecting my craft, while enjoying what I do.  I do not settle for "good enough", but I also do not settle for the goal when it is met. I've been in sports for the majority of my life and learned what being disciplined as an athlete is at a very young age. I am a very determined person, and believe I have a lot of work to do in order to keep improving; not just on the track/course, but academically as well.  One thing I think makes me different, is probably the fact that I am the only runner who likes to run with her hair down. Many question it and are doubtful of it,  but I'm okay with being a little bit unique.

I appreciate your time devoted to viewing my profile! 

I hope to impact your team positively one day!

Kind regards,

CHELSEY ESPINOSA

NO need to read the bottom, it's just more about me! :)

Background Story:  As far as being a college athlete, I never imagined that I'd be trying to pursue being a runner for any college (As in past tense, that has DEFINITELY changed) . Really what got me into thinking about being in collegiate athletics was my first true competitive sport, swimming. I started swimming at the age of 9, which I decided to do because I loved being in sports. But it was also this age in which I was introduced to track and competed basically in every event (except for sprints). In fourth grade I'd find myself doing a relay, 400 m (it was the longest distance event offered) and high jump, my fifth grade year I competed in all of those while adding long jump. This was only a required school thing, so at that age even though I did enjoy the experience, I didn't consider it a long-run (no pun intended) sport for me. At the same time I was juggling swimming, and the swimming thing escalated very quickly for me. At the age of 10 I'd find myself looking fat/bulky to getting told I looked like I was on steroids (um no) to going on my first few travel meets from Kansas, Ohio, Indianapolis, Iowa, etc. That was up until my 8th grade year where as an athlete I wasn't happy with where I was, my mental health wasn't great, and I'm being COMPLETELY honest, I was having troubles having fun with what I did. I would then go on to tell my parents I wanted to do Cross Country as something I could enjoy, work hard, and have fun with.  So, that year I did track had a blast running, then I'd move up to high school not knowing if I wanted to run. Obviously I couldn't resist how much I enjoyed the year before, and a day before rosters were due; I decided to run as a high school sport. I did swim that year and the year after that I didn't continue with it because it wasn't healthy anymore. But I definitely continued with my running career, and still chase major goals regarding running, and will continue to. I believe that my entire journey that I've gone through has made me the athlete that can try to persevere to what may seem impossible to many.

DISCLAIMER: (( I DO NOT REGRET ANYTHING WITH SWIMMING. I'M ONLY MENTIONING IT SO MUCH BECAUSE IT WAS A MAJOR PART OF MY LIFE, AND THE REASON I AM A HAPPY, HEALTHY RUNNER W/ BIG ASPIRATIONS OF CONTINUING TO WORK HARD TO BE MORE THAN JUST THE TYPICAL STANDARDS OF AN "ELITE" ATHLETE, WHILE ALSO IMPACTING OTHERS AROUND ME WITH A FUN ATTITUDE AND A CRAZY WORK ETHIC)). 

I appreciate your time devoted to viewing my profile! 

I hope to impact your team positively one day!

Kind regards,

CHELSEY ESPINOSA