Jade McKelvey (2029) trucks downline, steading herself and scanning the field, knowing where the ball is at all times ready to move at the split of a second. Seeing the ball, she knows if she needs to get open or defend helping her teammates move downfield. McKelvey takes the opportunity, fighting to push the ball forward and is ready to take a shot or pass, knowing she’s double teamed. The lightning fast speed allows her to get past her opponents by adding in confusion for the other team.
This new addition to the Westerville North girls soccer team is something everyone is talking about. McKelvey goes to Genoa Christian, but is zoned for North. In the past year, her club team, Columbus United GA 2011, just won Nationals. The National match was broadcast on TV and she used their loss as a motivator to do better and train harder, pushing for her team to win the following year.
McKelvey came to North to play soccer, not just because she lives in North’s district, but also because of the community and knowing the school has good sports teams. And wanting to be a part of this community, she also wanted that intense competition. McKelvey has some big goals she wants to accomplish this season. “I want to get 30 goals this season. Also, I want to win districts with my team,” McKelvey said.
As one of the youngest on the team, McKelvey’s skill is very highly talked about.
Addison Marinelli (2028) went into detail on how McKelvey helps their team on the field. “Jade allows us to build through the midfield and is very good at taking her opportunities and following through.”
She went on to compare her different team experiences. “Last year North’s team was really good at connecting from the back lines to the midfield, but this year, with Jade, we can really transition and connect from midfield up the lines,” Marinelli said.
In Marinelli’s opinion, McKelvey is going to be a player they build off of for the next couple years, making plays around her ideal skills. Knowing this, they have to be prepared for other teams doubling onto McKelvey on defense. This makes other players want to work harder to succeed, making the team better and more intense, as well as competitive.
Watching the surroundings and seeing McKelvey and her team, the crowd sees smiles, as well her teammates constantly hyping each other up. McKelvey running down the field as she takes the ball the crowd, itself, roars from the sidelines, encouraging her and her teammates to continue pushing and going downfield, blocking the opponents trying to steal the ball. As they storm through attempting to score and secure the win.
Athletic Director, Wes Elifritz, knows McKelvey on a personal level because the family goes to the same church as him. He has known Jade and her sister, Calista, for a significant amount of time, by this he has seen her grow up as a person and an athlete. “[Jade is] positive, uplifting, kind and welcoming,” Elifritz said about Jade as a person and her family.
