Lily Bunse '16 Recruiting Profile

I have recently completed my junior year and have competed with Kings Track and Field for two years.  I homeschool and attend a rigorous college preparatory school called Providence Extension Program.  This allows me to attend classes taught by tutors two days per week and continue my studies and complete my homework on the remaining days.  I am a hard worker and take my academic achievements very seriously, as I plan to study medicine.  In addition, I coach classroom gymnastics at Perfection Gymnastics School. Working there allows me to impact my students in their gymnastics as well as their character. Prior to working there, I participated in competitive gymnastics for nine years. I competed at level 9 Eastern Nationals and retired from gymnastics in 2013 at level 10.  Additionally, I have had the amazing opportunity to travel to Haiti four times to do mission work.  While there, I helped renovate orphanages, taught children, and helped provide food for children in the villages.

After retiring from gymnastics, I started to train in pole vaulting in June 2013 and found that I really loved it!  As a sophomore, I broke our indoor school record with 10’ at the first meet I competed.  In the outdoor season, I broke the school record with a jump of 11’ 6”.  During that season, I won Eastern Cincinnati Conference and Districts and competed at the Ohio State Meet. The following summer, I trained with Crossfit Mason until indoor season started. In one meet I set a new indoor school record.  So far this season, I have a PR of 12’ 0” at Regionals and 12’ 6” over a bar in practice.  Also, I have been able to compete in other running and field events.  I enjoyed hurdles and shot put the most, even though I had minimal training.  I have worked very hard in pole vault to fix my plant and continue to work on improving my techniques.  For the majority of the season I was holding down on a 13’ pole that was 15# over my weight and used a 6-step approach.  It was at Regionals that I progressed to a 13’ 7” 165# pole.  I qualified and competed at the New Balance Nationals and placed 4th in the Emerging Elite division. Another exciting honor was receiving the Eastern Cincinnati Conference Field Athlete of the Year. I believe that with more intensive training, I have a great amount of potential to jump much higher!  This summer, I will be competing in a few fun summer meets and am resuming Crossfit training to keep in condition. 

My athletic goal is to compete in pole vault with a college team and then to continue to compete beyond that.  I am strong and competitive and very enthusiastic about training and learning. Personally, I do not prefer to talk about myself, but would rather have my actions speak for me.  I have been told by multiple coaches and others that I am coachable and very personable. Being a part of a team is important to me and I enjoy cheering for others. I am driven to push my limits to excel in all that I do and I know that all things are possible through Christ who gives me strength.