My name is Barak Goldstein, and I am a part of the class of 2024 Track and Cross Country Team at Highland Park High School in Illinois. As a junior, I currently have personal bests of 52.2 in the 400m (split), 1:56.15 in the 800m, 4:27.77 in the 1600m, and 15:22 in the cross country 3 mile distance. Currently, I have 2 freshman and 1 sophomore records, and hold the 1000m school record in a time of 2:37.82. Academically, I have a weighted GPA of 4.13 and have made schoolwork a priority, in addition to my training. My goals for senior year include: qualifying for the IHSA Cross Country Championships, running sub 4:20 in the 1600m, and running 1:53 or faster in the 800m.

Running has been my passion since I was a boy, running my first 5k at the age of 7. Since entering high school, I have been a devoted teammate and runner. After my sophomore year of Track and Field, I was voted “most consistent” by my teammates for steady growth in my training and positive attitude. In addition to running, I also participate in school activities such as No Place for Hate, and Human Rights Club (Co-President). I have taken guitar lessons since 8th grade, and piano since 6th grade, and I perform as a guitarist at school recitals. I have a passion for automobiles, and have studied and worked on them with friends during my free-time.

My personal philosophy is to “win the day” and hold myself accountable to others. This standard has helped me accomplish a variety of goals in trying my best. Life is a work in progress, and we are always learning, always growing, always challenging. I look forward to developing more with this approach in the coming years, both short-term through my senior year, and long-term, striving to accomplish my greatest goal of being a student athlete at the college level. For more information, please email me at barakgoldstein2024@gmail.com.