Emanuella Heideman '20 Recruiting Profile

For me, running is an opportunity to test my limits and work through them. My passion is to always be improving. My college goals are to break 2 minutes in the 800 and be in the 4 minutes for the mile. I want to inspire others as well as improve myself. I hope to break down barriers that I didn't even know existed and to always run with a smile. I want my love and joy of running to be what is constantly pushing me forward. I have always known challenges will come. However, I see these as opportunities to prepare myself for something extraordinary. Difficulties give me the opportunity to grow as a person. I am a good candidate for college teams because I have learned to work through hardships and pain. My very first race, when I was 4, I ran so hard I threw up when I finished but I stood back up and got in line to run the adult 5k race. This addiction to never want to stop running still continues today.  What makes me different from other recruits is that I also believe in earning your win. To elaborate, running track or cross country is about pushing myself every day. While some days are called race days, I only earn my place if I have put in all the work. For me, the time to put in the work is not only during the season but the entire year.  Unlike some athletes, I run and train in both the summer and in the winter as well. When possible I will open myself up to try a new race whether it be a fun run 5k or a half marathon. I believe growth comes from outside of the comfort zone. I also am a good candidate for a college team because when I truly make up my mind over a decision I will not back out. While every bone in my body could be telling me to turn away, I am determined and I will see through to my goal. These decisions are always to protect others and better myself. My core belief is one of love. I hold all the lessons I have learned throughout my entire life close to me. In life, you either win or you gain an opportunity to learn from your mistakes. My character is important for all aspects of my life whether it be with my family, friends, school, running, church, etc. I never limit myself and when an opportunity comes, I jump on it. I've been in the Nutcracker by the State Street Ballet, earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, been a drum major for our marching band, was on the call committee for my church, and even worked to win the opportunity to honor our country by laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. My passion is running, but I challenge myself in all opportunities of my life. Unlike many students, I take the approach to give my all and be proud of the results no matter the grade. For instance, in eighth grade I took an optional Algebra 1 class for credits in high school. I earned an A first semester and an A- second semester. Although I had been hoping for a 4.0 GPA, I was proud of the grade because I had persevered. I did not give up on my schooling and continued and will continue to push myself through my high school years. Who I am is a person of love. With joy, I will continue to appreciate every day and moment including my hardships. I will work through struggles and always be striving to become a better self. Running is a blessing I have been given and I will challenge and I push myself every day because it is who I am. My goal is to see my times dropping as I run joyful and thankful for this gift.