Soccer standout competes in Pan American Maccabi Games

Avery Keitlen, a sophomore at North Royalton High School, represented the U.S. at the 2023 Pan American Maccabi Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was selected for the U.S. soccer delegation and competed from Dec. 25-Jan. 7 alongside other Jewish athletes from across the Americas.

The Pan American Maccabi Games brings together over 3,500 athletes from more than 20 countries every four years. As a qualifier for the USA team, Keitlen is one of more than 500 Americans who competed in the Olympic-style event.

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to play soccer in Argentina while connecting with other Jewish athletes from the U.S. and making new friends from across the region,” said Keitlen. “Competing internationally has been a goal of mine and I [was excited] to represent my country.”

As a freshman, Keitlen played soccer where she broke the varsity goal school record (16).

The high school sophomore has played soccer since the age of 4.