Karla Pena '24 Recruiting Profile

To my potential new University and Coaches:

My Name is Karla Valeria Pena Torres, my family calls me Valeria or Kava; while my friends call me Karla. I am currently 15 years old (turning 16 in May) and a Sophomore at Douglas High School in Douglas, Arizona. My High School graduating class is 2024. When I am not participating in sports I like to spend time with family and friends. My mom and Step-Father recently had a baby girl, so now I have a baby sister and I'm no longer an only child; so I am trying to spend as much time as I can with her and I'm enjoying to see her grow. I try to stay as active as I can. I am thinking about possibly getting a job this summer once I'm 16 to help me make some money and to establish more responsibility, but I have to be 16 in order to apply so I haven't decided where I want to work yet.

I have been playing and participating in athletics since I was a young girl. I have been playing soccer since I was 4 years old, I have also played Softball, Tee Ball, Volleyball and participated in Dance. Where I am from; I played Coed soccer growing up for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) from age 4 until 13 years old. When I turned 9 years old I joined a travel team which was supposed to be coed but I was the only female in my age group and we played against all boys teams. From that season on, I developed a motivation and edge to be the best player on the field. I enjoyed playing against the boys and it was difficult but inspired me to bring my game to the next level and be able to competitively compete day in and day out against the boys and be one of the better players on the team. I also participated on another travel team , when I played up multiple years to be the second youngest girl on the U15 Team at age 12 years old. My biggest asset to my game is my powerful kicks. I have strong legs from my dancing years which allows me to be a step above the other players because I can kick harder and farther than them. 

Last year was my first year of high school, I played Freshman Volleyball as a Freshman in the Fall Semester. Going into the Winter Semester I was very excited to get ready to play soccer and try out for Varsity but sadly the season was cancelled due to COVID a week before tryouts. So I was unable to participate in soccer my freshman year.

This year thankfully for my Sophomore year of High School the COVID restrictions were not as strict and sports were back on the table. I played JV Volleyball again in the Fall Semester and then I made Varsity Soccer for the Winter Semester. I was the only Sophomore on the team and I was a starter. This year of soccer was a game changer for me. Before this year, I played both forward and midfielder. But once tryouts started the coaches moved me to Defense. At first I wasn't too sure of how I felt about playing defense because I have never played it before and I was always a forward. But after playing the position in tryouts I realized once again my powerful strong kicks put me above the other girls on the team and that I saw a new perception of the game of soccer. I realized being a forward I only saw the second half of the field and didn't really see why defense was so important. But now that I played defense and started every game of the year ( minus 5 games from a concussion of blocking a point blank shot to my face) I developed a whole new appreciation of the game. I see the game from the whole field perspective. I not only see how important defense is but also my mindset and previous knowledge of playing forward and midfielder allows me to anticipate plays before they develop and I am able to think how I would have done something which then helps me intercept plays as they develop. 

Also as I said earlier having a strong kick, I was the go too kicker on the team. I conducted all the goal kicks, free kicks and the majority of the corner kicks for the team. I'm not going to lie, I didn't think I wanted to play defense because I never played it before. But I just wanted to play soccer so I overcame my fear of this new position and adapted to it and worked hard everyday and I started every game that I was healthy to play in.

Since my Varsity Soccer season ended, I went to tryouts and made the U16 Coronado Athletic Club all girls team. This team is based out of Sierra Vista, Arizona, which can be difficult for me because I live in Douglas, Arizona which is roughly an hour away from my home. It can be difficult because both of my parents work but we are able to shuffle schedules and adapt to the soccer schedule so I can play. I guess driving an hour to practice at least three times a week shows how dedicated and motivated I am to not only to get better at soccer but shows my dedication and sacrifice I am willing to make to be as best as I can. This travel team I joined also allows me to play with girls from a different area and gives me the chance to learn a different style of play from different teammates and coaches.

I always loved soccer when I was growing up but after this first year of Varsity I realized I definitely want to play collegiately and even try to pursue a professional career if I can continue to pursue my goals. I am focused and determined to finish whatever I set my mind too.

At this time I think I am leaning more towards a Business degree in College. I am currently in honors Math and I can always specialize more to financing or marketing under a business degree if I choose to do so. I also might be thinking of doing sports medicine, I haven't set my mind yet on what I want to study in college but I definitely want to receive a Bachelor's degree and possible Masters degree.

As I said earlier I am very motivated not just in sports but in academics too. I have been on the Academic Honor Roll for the last few years and I participate in Honors Classes. I am motivated because I want a good job when I grow up so I can support my future family.

Lastly, soccer has allowed me to meet some of my closest friends and it also has taught me a big life lesson of not being afraid. Growing up I was an only child and had a single mom. I wasn't the most outgoing kid but being in multiple sports and especially soccer it made me get out of my comfort zone to meet new people and put myself out there to people and not be shy. 

I want to say thank you for reading and looking at my profile. I am very passionate about soccer and everything I do in general. I am looking forward to hopefully speaking with you more in depth and hopefully I can answer any questions you have for me in the near future. Thank you again and I hope to hear from you soon.

Respectfully,

Karla Valeria Pena Torres