Courtesy of Grambling State University
Four years ago, Kailey Pena stepped foot on the Grambling State University campus as a freshman and etched her name into the athletic record books.
As one of the most decorated student-athletes to come from Grambling State, Pena’s determination and hard work led her to being one of the best Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) women’s soccer players in history.
The Rio Rancho, New Mexico native leaves a legacy that includes being a four-time SWAC First Team selection, three-time SWAC all-tournament team honoree and two-time SWAC postseason offensive player of the year.
The accolades are nice, but Pena will be quick to credit her teammates for all those achievements.
“Anything that was accomplished on the field by our team came from the work and time we put in when no one was watching,” she said. “We were committed to each other and to representing Grambling State in the best way we knew how, doing what we love the most.
“When we trusted each other and built our bond with that as a foundation, the results we wanted came more consistently. I can’t wait to see what else this program has to accomplish.”
For all the highlights in her four-year career, Pena walks away from Grambling State as the all-time record holder in goals scored (43) and points (97). In fact, during the spring 2021 season, Pena led the country in goals scored with 16.
Just in 2021 alone between the spring and fall seasons, Pena registered some mind-boggling numbers. She tallied 27 goals and 52 points.
The legacy quietly began prior to her attending Grambling State when she was a senior at Cleveland High School.
Like many high school seniors, embarking on a journey to find a college or university can be stressful, but for Pena, when she stepped onto the campus, she just felt like it was home.
“I chose Grambling State because it felt like a family-like environment and I knew I had the chance to be part of something special,” she said. “I will always be grateful for the opportunity to represent Grambling State playing the sport I am beyond passionate about. I have made lifelong friends and special memories throughout my time here and made the best decision of my life to attend Grambling State.”
After graduation, Pena will be embarking on a new journey.
In a few weeks, she will obtain a degree in business management as she continues to learn the nature of the field.
“I love the versatility this major will provide me in the workforce, and enjoy getting to see how organizations operate behind the scenes. It would be awesome to be someone who overlooks both internal and external operations within an organization,” she said.
While it is the end of a glorious career at Grambling State, Pena’s time on the soccer field is not coming to an end. Unfortunately, she won’t be donning the Black and Gold uniform as she will use her extra year of eligibility and work toward obtaining a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Troy University.
While Pena departs as one of the programs best, she did want to share a little inspiration to those following in her footsteps.
“It is really amazing what can be done with a little discipline, integrity and love,” she said. “At the same time, we must expect the highest from ourselves in order to expect it from others. Trials are inevitable, and how we react to them is what sets us up for our greatest accomplishments. We have been on the cusp of an NCAA tournament appearance, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for our deserving program.”
