Carrie D'Andrea '15 Recruiting Profile

When I first joined the track team my freshman year, all I knew was that I was fast according to those around me. It was my coaches and teammates who pushed me to try hurdles and saw the potential in what I could do. When I placed second in Districts and qualified for states the first year I ever ran, all I could do was thank them. Now, my senior year, there is nothing I want to do more than to make all these people who have supported me through the years proud. Not only that, but track is something that I truly enjoy. That feeling of accomplishment when you reach a new goal, when you finish first, when your coach tells you how proud he is of you, it's inexplicable. I think something that has made me into the athlete I am, is my extreme competitiveness. If I'm not first, I will do whatever it takes to get there, no matter how tired I am. I have to be in front of that girl next to me. And even then, I'm never content with where I am. Every practice, I show up ready to work knowing that if I want to go beyond my goals, I have to push myself. At the same time, I always strive to push my teammates. In my school, we don't always have a hurdle coach, so we have to help each other. Seeing my teammates succeed and progress is even more rewarding. The lessons i have learned on the track over the years have translated into my schoolwork. My junior and senior year, I chose to take on as many honors and AP classes as I could. Having so many advanced classes wasn't and isn't easy, but I like challenging myself. Even as i choose a college and major, I don't want to let the fear of having difficult classes stand in the way of what I want to accomplish. In everything I do, I strive to get better because I know I have the potential, and I owe so much to my friends, family, and coaches for helping me to believe that. So now, what is most important to me is going on to compete at the next level and create even bigger goals. I'm really looking forward to reaching that whole new level of competition and showing everyone what I can do.

Update-2018

In the years since I was initially recruited, my statement hasn't changed. I still have such a strong desire to compete and reach the potential I know I have. In the past three years I have learned so much; about myself, what I want in life, and what it takes to get to where I want to be. I have encountered so many obstacles, but can only look back and learn from them and continue moving forward. I have taken every opportunity possible- coaching high school hurdles, playing club soccer, playing for Steel City FC, improving my other skills, learning new ones, creating new school athletic programs, even running a fraternity- because there is nothing more fulfilling to me than improving myself. So I want to continue that trend, and take advantage of this time in my life to compete. I will always be grateful for those who have supported me in the past, and still do today, through every adventure. I am an athlete- whether it is track, soccer, or anything in between- and that means I am disciplined, determined, and not easily diminished. Now, there is really nothing I want more than to be apart of a team, to push myself, push others, and, as always, to finish strong.