Personal Statement
My name is Elaina Grey and I attend Huntington Park High School located in the Los Angeles area. I will be graduating in 2020 eagerly looking to continue and pursue my soccer career and academics in college. I have been on my High School Varsity team for all 3 years now and going into my 4th year for my senior season. I also am in my third year playing club with Downey FC. Not only am I looking for a school with a good soccer program, but also one with an aerospace engineering pathway to help me prepare and pursue my future career goals. I am a good candidate for your team because I am a fast learner, I adapt to my surroundings quickly and learning new playing styles has never been an issue. I started playing the worlds game at the age of 5 and I have played every position on the field. At the age of 14 I was faced with the decision to leave a sport I love or find a way to stay involved in the sport I truly love. I had developed breathing issues after many years of playing as a striker leading my teams quite often on the attack. My body was developing and growing so rapidly my lungs appeared to be giving up on me, depriving me of the oxygen I need to be the best player I can be and achieve my dream of playing for my country someday. My coach at the time soon to be my high school coach suggested I just try goalie “see if you like it” he said to which my reply was okay coach if it helps the team and allows me to stay involved I will do it. Fast forward 6 months I came to find out that my problem was my body growing so rapidly and with proper conditioning I would be ok and not actually suffer from any sports related asthma as what was once feared.
By that time though I grew to love my new position on the field. A goalie is one of the most feared positions by many to play, but for me it was a chance to stay involved. I embraced the position completely watching video after video of some of the great goalies in the world. Learning what they do in certain situations, how they prepare daily to improve as a goalie. I was just 14 years old and facing girls 3-4 years older than I was on a regular basis. I had no choice but to adapt and learn at a rapid pace if I was to be successful.
Now here I am standing taller than most on the field just a few years removed from being one of the smallest. I attack with a level of ferociousness the attackers that try to score on me as I once was one of them. I feel that being a former attacker gives me an advantage as I quite often see more quickly a play develop. I am not a stand your ground goalie I will come out, meet the attacker and do my best to defend my area to the best of my ability. I am constantly reviewing video tape of my games to learn how I can improve and not just be satisfied with my highlights, but always look for ways to improve. As a player I believe we can always get better and a coach can always teach you something you may not have known about yourself.
What differs me from other recruits in athletics, academics and characteristics is that I am a driven, diligent and attentive person. My personality is one of a kind as I bring smiles and good times to all I am around no matter what the situation might be. My athletics is what brings the best out of me as I always change my attitude towards everything as soon as I step out onto the field. On the field I have a strong mindset and I don't let anything disrupt my momentum. In academics I am a quick learner and I don't require much instruction to understand the material given.
