Hannah Bierling '19 Recruiting Profile

At my first big high school competition someone asked my coach if I had been put in the wrong flight of the Shot Put.  I later went on to win the freshman division at New Balance Games.   At check ins, people stare when my name is called, sizing me up; I'm always the smallest in the circle of throwers.   It's only after I throw that their expressions change.  I do not look like a shot putter, and this has helped me overcome the mental challenges of the sport. 

I have built relationships with other local throwers; we have a camaraderie that seems foreign to the runners.  However, when it comes time to perform, I am focused on that moment.   I have benefited from the wisdom of those throwers who came before me, and I am happy to work with those who are just beginning their high school career.  Hard work is something that I thrive on; I work hard in the circle, the weight room and the classroom. 

This year I faced a few challenges in the classroom.  In January, my AP Physics teacher retired, and a new teacher was brought in.  He had never taught an AP course before, and his style was very different from our previous teacher.  We all had to adapt to his style.  While I earned an 84 in his course, something that I am not thrilled with, I know that I put all of my effort into the course work and building a relationship with the teacher.  I earned a 93/100 on the Archdiocesan final exam, which I believe shows my true ability.  While my GPA and class rank suffered because of this class, I learned some very valuable lessons on perseverance, dealing with difficult situations and building relationships.

Whatever path the future holds for me, I am confident that the skills I've learned as an athlete, a competitor and a scholar, will lead me in the right direction.