Emily Gessell '13 Recruiting Profile

It has always been one of my goals to be able to run on a college team. Ever since I was little I have always been running. At my old elementary school we would have to run one big lap around the playground before we got to play our games, and each time we ran I was always the first girl finished and I even beat most of the boys. When it came time to pick kids for teams, I was aways picked first because they all knew that I could out run most of the other kids. I went into middle school and found new competition. I realized that the older kids were faster then me but I made it a goal to run and train with them. By my second year I was the number two girl out of 16. When I went into high school I started cross country and track. The reality shock hit me that there are kids all over the state chasing after each other trying to be the number one kid out there. My goal was to become that girl that everyone is chasing after. Ever since I was a freshman I have worked my way up on the totem pole and have built myself up to be the runner I always wanted to be. Racing is where I feel my strongest, even if my body is in pain, my mind knows I have to finish the race I started. I also know I don't have to just depend on myself. I have my whole team who loves me and will always support me and my decisions. They train with me and we build off each other. We work on each others strengths and weakneses. I am pushing myself everyday and making new goals. I have always wanted to run on a college team and I am going to keep running after that goal until I reach it.