Personal Statement

I’m Quade Kelley, a 16 year-old, class of 2027, 4.0/4.4 GPA honors student-athlete from San Diego, California.  I am listed as an Attacker, mostly at the1, 2 and 5 positions but am also a utility player. My primary strengths are freezing goalies and finding open corners from outside (4-6m), tenacious pressure defense, and creating easy goals for my centers by dropping incredibly accurate passes "on a dime" into the set. A former competitor in Jiu Jitsu and Baseball (SS/RHP) I bring a tenacious defense and high-velocity for offensive play. 

For USA Water Polo, I am an Academic All-American (OH; 4.0/4.53 GPA) and have represented the PSW Zone at ODP National Championships in 2025 (Cadet “Red”Gold Medalist), 2024 (Cadet “Red”, Silver Medalist), and 2023 (Development “Blue”.) As a freshman I was a four-sport Varsity athlete, playing Water Polo, Beach Volleyball, Baseball and Swim. I was the only student to be a two-sport Varsity started in a single season, during which time I maintained top academic and athletic honors while being a national service leader.  As a sophomore, I focused on Water Polo as my primary sport and was elected as the 2025 Captain.  For both seasons of high school WoPo, I was selected to All-League Teams and have won multiple awards for leadership and performance. 

Academically, I am a top performer. I currently have a 4.0 UGPA/ 4.5 WGPA in the hardest curriculum offered at Pacific Ridge School with concurrent college classes in Neuroscience and Psychology. I was a starter on the regular undefeated season Academic League team (2024 & 2025) and rotated as Captain.  For the 2025-27 years, I have transferred to San Dieguito Academy and an honors online student to pursue Water Polo at the highest level while maintaining a high academic load that is well within my capabilities. 

Naturally curious, I was an international Kid Reporter for Scholastic Kids Press (2020-23) before becoming the first teen reporter for the Professional Women's Volleyball Federation team, San Diego Mojo (2023-24.) After extensive media training, I learned to write on deadline, ask relevant questions and was given an inside look at the world of professional sports. That led me to passionate interest in human performance and the study of neuroscience and psychology, particularly in relation to elite athletes. 

My coaches would say I am a hardworking, determined, self-motivated leader who is usually the first one to arrive and the last one to leave. I am also a strategic and original thinker.  I have taken standardized tests for athletes and score in the highest category for pattern recognition, intuitive learning, visual equity, and strategic thinking. My top priority within the team is to be the most trustworthy, supportive, and motivating teammate. My goal is always to bring 100% effort and a positive attitude, as well as be prepared and know my intent. 

I am looking for a collegiate experience that combines my deep curiosity for learning and specific interest in neuroscience and psychology with incredible opportunities for development in athletics and academics. My goal for the future is to be a leader in the field of human development with a speciality in the neuroscience and psychology of optimal performance.

Thank you for reading!   If interested in learning more, please check out my social media, website, and video reels:

https://whoisquade.com/athletics

https://www.instagram.com/quadekelley/

https://vimeo.com/1092562103