Maura O'Brien '12 Recruiting Profile

I am confident about, excited for, and committed to running in college. I am a lanky 5ft 10in and I weigh a slim 125lbs, (a look that usually gets the comment, "you should be a runner").  I started running as a wide-eyed 14 year-old freshman, eager to find my spot to fit in at Evergreen High School. I debated on whether softball, or cross country would be a better fit for me. After accepting that I knew little about either, cross country seemed the more promising fit.
     I began my freshman workouts, and by the time for our first race, I had proven to be a varsity runner, (I have never run in a JV meet).  I was the 3rd runner on varsity that year, and earned 1st-team, All-Confrence, and ran at State. During the winter I played basketball and in the spring, track. In my first track season, I became League Champion at 1600m. I was also on the League Champion 4X800m team. I qualified for State in both events.
     Returning as a sophomore I advanced to running 2nd, then 1st on the XC team. I earned 1st-team, All-Confrence, 1st-team, All-Region (I was Regional Champion) and 1st team All-State. In track. I was League Champion at 1600m, 3200m, and 4X800M. I qualified for State in 1600m, 3200m, 800m, and 4X800m and finished 3rd in the 3200m, (our team finished 3rd in the 4x800m).
      My junior year I again earned 1st-team, All-Confrence, 1st-team, All-Region, and our team finished 2nd at State.  I went to State for track in the 1600m, 3200m, and our team finished 2nd in State in the 4x800m.
     In a slightly oversized nut shell, those are my athletic accomplishments. During my first three years in high school,  I have also particiapted in basketball, (varsity as a junior). 
     I have been captain on X-C and track for two years now, and very much enjoy being in a leadership position. It drives me to be a better athlete as well as teammate. 
     Three school sports keeps me focused and busy all through the school year. I am known for being a hard worker and many times I'm my own worst critic. I strive to improve, and work for success.
     As confidant as I am about running in college, I am still less than sure about the exact description for the college I am lookinig for. I can see the advantages (as well as disadvantages) in both big or small schools. I am still open to many different options. Geographically I am drawn towards oceans, and mountains. I have lived in Colorado my whole life and love the lush green mountainsides, but I have also always been a sucker for the water, and the beach.
     Both of my parents are teachers. My father is now a retired high school teacher, and my mother is a deaf educator at Dalton Elementary in Aurora Colorado. Through middle school I was home-schooled. I am also proficient at American Sign Language. Another aspect of having teachers for parents is that money is a little tighter in my family than it might be in other households. My brother is in college right now, (University of San Francisco) and with our college educations overlapping next year, financial support will be needed and be a factor for me as I look for a college.
     I am still unsure about what I would like to study in college but I am very interested in English, and journalism.
     My goals for participating in cross country and track in college are to further develop my abilities as a runner and to help out my team by giving them everything I've got. I enjoy competiton, and would like to compete at the highest level possible. I want to train the hardest I can. Most of all I am excited for my future. I am thankful for all the great relationships and opportunities running has already given me, and I look forward to many more to come.