Isabella Tarbet '21 Recruiting Profile

At five years old I ran my first 5k, Ever since that first race, I have begged my parents to let me run in any race that was offered around the town -- turkey trots, fundraisers, you name it, I ran it. As a fifth and sixth grader, I counted down the days until I would be a 7th grader, and able to compete on the Middle School cross country team. When that day finally came, I was excited beyond measure. I remember hopping onto the sports bus and braiding my hair into 2 braids, which has become a pre-race ritual. That season, I placed 4th in the county-wide Middle School race. I was not satisfied. When I was asked to move up to the high school varsity team as an eighth-grader, I declined the offer. I needed to win the county-wide race.

I was undefeated during the regular season of my 8th grade. When the time came for the countywide race, I stood on the starting line at Sunken Meadow State Park and looked ahead of me. When the whistle blew, I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. It was at that point that I knew why I run. There is no feeling comparable to the adrenaline rush, and the determination I feel, than the one I receive from running. I've played competitive volleyball, softball, and swimming, but they don't compare to the feeling I get when I run. Winning the Middle School Championship set me on track for high school. This year, I placed 10th at the state qualifier meet, and I missed going to the state meet by one position. I'm excited to running track in the spring and really looking forward to trying to get to the cross country state meet in the fall.

In addition to cross country, I am an avid student. I was valedictorian of my 8th-grade class, and have had 11 consecutive High Honor role Quarters.