Cody Rhodes '14 Recruiting Profile

          5 years ago, I fell in love with running. I tried out for my local track and field team because I was always the fastest on the football field, soccer field, baseball field, any sport that involved running. I had no clue that I, the scrawny little kid from spring valley, would learn to love to push myself to the limit and see how much faster I could get. In 7th grade, I was so-so, just another runner out on the track, I didnt know anything about proper form or nutrition or anything of that nature. (My first track meet I starved myself beforehand because I thought it would make myself lighter and faster.) But nevertheless, I loved track and I knew that after that season I would be coming back for more. The next year, 8th grade, I was determined to not only run faster than ever before, but to win every single race and be the best 800m runner in San Diego. That year, I ended up qualifying and running in the Junior Olympics in Des Moines, Iowa in the 14 year old age group. Soon after, I was in high school, where my commitment and drive to compete would be tested to the extreme.

        My freshman year of high school I played football and ran track, nothing else. In between football and track season, i ran here and there but i had no idea that to be a competitive 800 meter runner in high school you had to run many many miles in the off-season, because before i had mainly trained with sprinters and raced up in distance. Due to my lack of base mileage but my determination, I was able to keep up with the top varsity guys who all ran Cross Country and continued to run between seasons, but unfortunately I ended up with a stress fracture. My season was done. Fast Forward to Sophomore and Junior years and I am more dedicated than ever, eating right, sleeping enough, drinking a gallon of water a day. You know, runner stuff. Sophomore year I broke two minutes consistently the last 3/4 of the season, eventually ending up at a 1:58, and Junior year I broke 2 minutes my second race back, and continued improving nearly every week until I ran 1:56. I also went to the state meet for my schools 4x400 meter relay team where I ran third leg.

        I have always considered myself a leader when it came to sports and academics. In the classroom, I generally understand much of what is taught immediately after it is taught, especially in the sciences (Chemistry and Biology) or any math class I am in, and I am always glad to help a fellow student if they are struggling, and I have no fear of standing in front of the class and speaking. Be it a presentation or just generally speaking to the class for whatever the teacher requires, I will do it. On the track and on the trails I am the Boys Cross Country and Track team captain and have been told my members of the team that even if I may be harsh some times, they appreciate the help and motivation that I offer.