Personal Narrative: Team Failure

I was walking off the high jump mat after my successful attempt at 5'4" at the 2015 Morris County Championships, and I knew something was wrong. The pain in my quad was not just muscle tightness or dehydration, I knew I had most definitely pulled a muscle or something even worse. As I tried to clear my head and ignore the pain, I slowly made my way back to my starting mark. The bar was now at 5'5", and I had not yet cleared the height that season. This challenge was going to require my best effort, and I was now down to only one healthy leg. The fans cheered as I just stood there on the verge of tears. trying to prepare for my first attempt at the new height. While staring down at the ground trying to gain enough strength to continue, I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

"Leah, are you sure you can go on?" the official asked.

However, my only thought at that moment was to defend my county title from the previous year and so I replied, "Yeah, I can do this.” A family member suggested I give up to avoid further injury, but I ignored their request and focused on my mission. Thirty seconds later, I cleared the height with ease and it was my best attempt of the season. The fans cheered wildly as I jumped off the mat, intending to leap into my coach’s arms. Instead, I collapsed on the runway due to the pain being so unbearable. The next few days consisted of doctors visits, x-rays, and MRIs from which I learned that I partially tore my quad, effectively ending my junior year Winter Track season. My injury was severe enough that it also cost me part of my spring season, the most important for an aspiring Division I

athlete.

Now, some people may think that my decision to continue and incur further damage was not smart. However, I learned a very valuable lesson that day that forever changed my life. I discovered that greatness is a mindset, and your mind can easily make or break you. As an athlete, I have made many sacrifices, have experienced much pain and injury, and have endured crushing defeats. But these are the very experiences that have taught me how to rise from a fall and be even stronger, even tougher, even better. Therefore, I've cultivated a mindset where I remain focused on my goals and the road to achieve them despite the many obstacles that appear along the way. On each of my college visits this past year, I have expressed my desire to compete at the highest level within track and field while also pursuing an academic program to prepare me for medical school. Each coach warned of the difficulties of such a pursuit and the long hours required, often suggesting an easier path. Despite such warnings, my faith and steadfast determination has not faltered. I refuse to back down from such a challenge. I have learned that "you must always have faith in yourself," (Elle Woods) and that faith, along with determination, will lead you to fulfill your dreams. Through my trials and tribulations, through the tears that haven't been in vain, I know my experiences will help me achieve great success at Rutgers University. I'm ready for this challenge. The question is, RU ready for me?