Parker O'Donnell '17 Recruiting Profile

I aspire to play collegiate soccer at the highest level possible and get a good education. I was born in Austin, Texas and my family moved to Barbados for my dad’s job when I was 5. Although I am still an American citizen, we have lived on the island from that time on. Because of my interest in math and science, right now I am considering the fields of civil engineering and architecture.

I believe I can be an asset because I am hardworking, have good relationships with my teammates and I can communicate on the field.  I play right back/full back. I am an aggressive defender who goes after the ball from the time I set foot on the pitch. I’m self-motivated. When a visiting coach from High Point suggested a series of Soccer videos (Coerver Coaching) to help me improve my game, I committed to watching them and practicing with them several times a week. I am coachable and honest. Also I have strong morals, and I am always quick to help with any job given to me. These traits have helped me win several awards for best attitude, sportsmanship and most improved player at my home club, Kickstart FC.

I am a member of the high-performance team for my age group (U+15) and I am sometimes called on to play with the older team (U+17). My parents are supportive of my wish to improve in my Soccer game and they have arranged for me to be able to participate in several outside opportunities. In 2012, I attended the Arsenal Football camp in Barbados which is funded by the Brewster Trust. At this camp I received a trophy for Most Outstanding Player (which is a character award) for my age level (10-14). In the summer of 2014 I participated in the FC Dallas camp where I benefited from expert coaching and intensive training in Texas. In July of 2015 I will be attending the Highpoint Camp in North Carolina with other members of the high performance team at Kickstart. 

I was homeschooled through seventh grade. My IOWA test scores were high (13+ in all but four areas) so the Keystone School accepted me a year early. As a result I started high school classes when I was 13. I am taking my third science class and my third math class as a sophomore. I took the PSAT early for practice and my scores were: Reading 58 (91%) Math 51 (75% having not taken geometry yet) Writing 53 (85%). In a leadership program called the Duke of Edinburgh award, I am earning my Bronze level. This process involves learning a skill, participating in a sport, volunteering in the community and organizing hikes with group members throughout the island. I am part of a church youth group and I am also part of the science club for Keystone School. I will be graduating high school at the age of seventeen.