Jemar Ortega '17 Recruiting Profile

When I reach college, I really intend on making the best of what is available to me. I 100 percent intend on running in college. Not only do I have an unconditional love for the sport, but I also wouldn't be the person I am today without the sport. When I first started running in the seventh grade, I couldn't really run for more than 5 minutes at a time. My friends and older brothers would always tease me about my mediocrity. Staying humble, however, I kept on working and working. And by the time eighth grade came, I was running side by side with my older brothers on varsity. And by the end of the season, I was head and shoulders above them. So with the combination of my humble drive to be the best and the academic standards I set for myself(I was in the top 5 percent of my class), I really see myself using this gift of running to receive the best education I can get. Aside from this, even with my humble self, I also believe that I have a great sense of leadership. As a sophmore, with most of my role models part of the graduating class the year before, I was named captain of the cross country team. Especially because of the confusion regarding our coaching, I had the responsibility of keeping the team together and grounded. And with this, we became very close knit and considered each other family. So, considering all of these traits, I sincerely believe I have a lot to offer.