Megan Strait '12 Recruiting Profile

Hi!
I'm Megan Strait. I stand at approximately 5 10' and weigh 155 pounds. I am from the very small town of Gladwin, MI. My primary sport is Women's Field and Track. Throughout my 3 years, I have acheived many awards. In the year 2010 (sophomore) I was honored with the opportunity to go to states for shot put and discus. I placed 9th in the shot put, but unfortunately fell short in discus, placing 11th. This year, (2011), I went back for round two. I came out with a more satisfied taste on my tongue, placing 6th in shot put. Once again, I found myself lacking in the discus. I did not even make it into the final round after being ranked fourth. As an athlete, this not only infuriated me, but gave me the grit to make sure this never happened again. Redirecting my vengeance, I joined a summer camp fully geared towards throwing. After working for a solid 2 months, three days a week, I established a more stable technique that added an impressive 5 foot to my personal best in the discus. Not only was states a big part of my track career, I also made impressive accomplishments within my conference. For three years, I have been honored with the title of Most Valuable Player for my school. That itself is a reward, but then to be informed I was also chosen to be Most Valuable Player within my conference. Each and every year I have went home with both of these plaques, and the gratification of knowing I was the youngest athlete in my conference ever to receive this milestone.
Each and everyday, no matter what sport,-I work my hardest. I work my hardest to push myself, to push my team mates, and strive for perfection. I work my hardest to make sure I am all I can be as an athlete and a person. This kind of dedication has gotten me very far in my athletics. I am hardworking and I will keep pushing myself harder and harder until I reach my goal. With this kind of attitude, coaches have praised me to be highly coachable. I have also come to possess many qualities the ideal athlete strives for:

• Selflessness: Beginning as a freshman, I didn't know what the word 'team' meant. But as I grew and learn, I found myself realizing it's all about we, not all about me.
• Hardworking: Each and everyday I practice, I make sure there is at LEAST one thing I improve on. I am my own worst critic. I will tear myself apart and rebuild if that's what it takes to make sure I reach perfection.
• Personality: The name Megan Strait is often correlated with insanely outgoing. I am quite a boisterous young lady. When it comes to discipline, I have found a more positive coaching method to make people want to improve. Instead of yelling at them, I take the more optimistic approach and make them feel good about themselves, but still have a very stern side. I expect a lot out of my team as well as myself. I am the 'high fiver' of the team and probably one of the loudest women you will ever come into contact with.
• Commitment:  Being a 3 sport athlete, I had to miss out on a lot of activities that normal teenagers are usually garaunteed. I am always the first person there, and the last to leave. I rarely come home after school-practice or not. In my eyes, there is ALWAYS room for improvement. 
• Intergrity: This has to be the most important one of them all. My mother raised me with morals and values that I project onto my team mates. I hold not only myself, but my team to high reguards. I want to make sure I am always looked upon as a leader and lead by example. I would never want my team mates to feel ashamed of their captain or lose respect for me as an individual. I strive to be the best role model for not only my team, but for the younger girls I work with.

My years in highschool sports has not only taught me a lot about myself, but also other people. I learned to interact with people on an athletic and personal basis, and how to get along with my peers. People interest me in general, and that has lead me with the aspiration to pursue a career in sociology field. I am also looking into any Liberal Arts minor I can find. With that being said, I expect to go to a big university on a full ride. But realistically, thats probably not going to happen. I do, however, plan to attend a exceptional university. Academics are the upmost of importance for my future. I don't mind if I am educated 20 minutes down the road or halfway across the country. Wherever I find myself attending college, I hope to be apart of a D1 or D2 track family. Scholarships are my gateway to success. I am a very independent person, but I found myself realizing that college is very expensive and sometimes can result to a lifetime of debt.
In all honesty, I was raised by a single mother. My mom was incredible raising my brother and me, making sure we always had everything we needed, not always everything we wanted. She taught us strong values and what's right and wrong in life. I have been raised with a 30,000 yearly income. We are trying to not only make sure I am going to be successful, but help my brother in his venture through college. My brother is currently attending Michigan Technological University. He has ended up there with the help of scholarships and grants. One day I hope to become just as successful, if not more, than my brother. I know with the help of NCSA, I can find exactly what tools and resources I need to accomplish just that.
In a couple years, wherever I may end up, I want to make a positive impact not only on myself and my future, but anyone I come into contact with. I truly do want to see myself make a difference in this world; may it be through my college experience, through my future career, or through being apart of something bigger than I could ever imagine. With any opportunity I may be granted in the next year, I know I will not fall short of acheiving any goals that have been set for me by myself or my benefactors. Thank you for your time reading this extensively long profile about myself.