Cailyn Sakurai '17 Recruiting Profile

    I started cross-country in middle school which ignited my passion for running. This was the first organized sport team that I not only enjoyed the constant training but also the community it created. Similar to other sports teams, the cross-country team became my family, however, the training was very different. Cross-country differentiated from other sports teams in my high school because it gave the opportunity for anyone to join the team. As a result, there were many runners that joined the team inexperienced but devoted to training. This pushed me to establish a leadership role, a position that I was once terrified of, and to positively encourage all runners no matter their skill level.

    In my sophomore year the team received a new coach, who ended up affecting me in ways I could never imagine. She created a track and field team from nothing, which not only gave me the opportunity to new training, but also a new facet of running. During my pervious years as a runner, I never had an experienced coach to teach techniques that I lacked as runner, and as a result my potential was never shown.  However, the rigorous training regime change in junior year where morning and afternoon practices became structured allowing me to eventually drop minutes off of my time. 

    Through the dedication to running the girls varsity cross country team qualified for states in over 20 years. This big accomplishment for the team was only a small part of my overall goal for the cross country program. I hoped through this achievement the El Cerrito high cross country would attain more publicity in the running community, gaining new and dedicated runners along the way. Especially since a large amount of the varsity runners are from the 2017 graduating class the team always needs new supporters, so the program does not face any hardship later down the road. This goal was not always prevalent in my participation in the cross country team, before I was only focused on my improvement. However, through bonds established between the younger runners I was able to see that I would hate to see some not have the same opportunity to experience a community in a judgmental high school. 

Running has played a key part in my life allowing me to see things in myself that would of stayed undeveloped, but also appreciate a sense of community.