Sunitha Black '21 Recruiting Profile

When I'm running with the high school boy's team and facing my 10th hill repeat of the day, I know the hill is going to be tough.  This fact doesn't slow me down, as I race up that hill.  Through grit and determination I pick off as many boys as I can. This same grit and determination got me through the early years of my life, when I was living in an orphanage in India with 100 other children. I learned that a high pain threshold and a strong determination were keys to my survival. 

I was adopted when I was three years old.  I now live in Corvallis, Oregon with my parents and three older siblings.  I believe that everyone faces adversity at some point in their life.  By facing hardship at an early age I learned that pain and difficulty can be channeled into something positive. 

When I was seven years old my Mom sensed my need for speed.  She asked me to race my two older brothers the length of a football field.  When I blew past them to the finish line, my passion for competitive running was born.  My high school coach describes me as determined, hard working, quiet, resilient, a team player and coach-able.  He tells me at the end of workouts he is always impressed with my ability to push through and "finish on empty" no matter the situation.  I always go into practices and race days with a positive mindset.  When things don't  go as planned, I get back to practice the next day and work even harder. 

I may be the quietest on my team, but I strive to work the hardest.  I have helped lead our varsity cross country team to two district titles and represented my team at the 5A State of Oregon track and field championships three years in a row.  I recently placed 7th at the Cross Country Championship, and I am setting my goals high for the upcoming track and field season.   

Grit, determination and teamwork are helping me achieve my goals up to this point.  I plan on taking these three values into my college experience.  But for now, it's back to the hills!