Samuel (Austin) Kirkpatrick '23 Recruiting Profile

Since beginning running at a competitive level I have had the aspiration to become an athletic trainer at the collegiate/professional level. My travel coach Adam has been such an inspiration in my life teaching me the correct ways to stretch, warm up, and cool down to minimize injury.  This is what has helped me decide my future. He has been so important in the path I am taking that I hope to do the same for people in the future.

I started running track in the 6th grade when one of the coaches handed me a jersey and told me I made the team without even trying out. She saw me running at a 4-h camp and wouldn't take no for an answer. I have been hooked on running ever since. My PRs include 10:11.21 3200, 4:45.26 1600, 6:47.54 2K steeplechase, and 16:24.74 5K XC. I am hoping to make it to Buenos Aires for the 2018 Youth International Olympics. My goal is to then compete at a collegiate level and then move on to the Olympics.

I am not afraid of hard work or training. I will do what is necessary to reach the goals I have. My favorite quote is "Somewhere in the world someone is training when you are not. When you race him, he will win" - Tom Fleming. I train to win on the field and in the classroom. I have not had the chance to take ACT/SAT yet but have a 3.7 GPA. I am member of 4-H honors society, HOSA, Athletic Training program, P7 (FCA), Heritage Lites (a community service project for the heritage association in town) and am a member of the youth program at my church. This has made me a well-rounded athlete that will be an asset to your program.