Athena Spotlight: Jordan Yates: A Story of Resilience, Leadership, and Unwavering Heart

For most athletes, soccer begins as a pastime. For Jordan Yates, it began as a way of life.

Raised in a soccer family and introduced to the game at just three years old, Jordan grew up surrounded by the rhythm of practices, weekend tournaments, and the joy of competition. When her family moved from Connecticut to California at age seven, soccer quickly became the centerpiece of her childhood, and ultimately, a defining part of who she is.

"I grew up trying every sport," she said, "but soccer was the one that stuck."

Whether it was club practices three times a week, tournaments every weekend, or cheering on her sister's team when hers had a rare break, soccer became woven into the rhythm of her family. Some of her most cherished memories come from those competitive summer tournaments, especially the iconic Surf Cup over Thanksgiving weekend, where post-holiday leftovers were eaten on the sidelines and championship zip-ups were worn proudly for weeks.

But Jordan's story is far from the simple arc of lifelong passion. It is one defined by grit, loss, leadership, and the ability to rebuild, again and again.

Finding CMS and the "Broken Leg Rule"
When recruiting began, Jordan envisioned a college environment that matched her academic ambition and her competitive drive. Southern California felt like home, and CMS immediately stood out, not just because of its athletic reputation, but because her sister was already a Scripps alum.

A full-circle moment sealed the deal: she emailed Coach David Nolan while he was still coaching across the street at Pomona-Pitzer, unaware he'd soon be returning to CMS. The day after he arrived on campus, he offered Jordan a tour and then a roster spot.

Still, Jordan took the advice of a mentor she deeply admired: follow the "broken leg rule."

If soccer disappeared tomorrow, where would you still be happiest?
The choice was clear. And, in what she describes now as "subtle foreshadowing," the wisdom of that rule became heartbreakingly relevant later that year when she tore her ACL and MCL as a senior in high school. CMS was the right place for her, regardless of the game.
 
A Leader Beyond Athletics
Jordan quickly became a cornerstone of the CMS community, not just on the field, but across campus. She serves as:

• A member of the CMS Diversity & Inclusion Committee
• Co-President of Midnight Echo, a 5C a cappella group
• A campus tour guide, welcoming prospective students
• A CMS game management staff member, supporting home competitions
• A sports broadcaster, calling Stag soccer games and learning to expand her coverage

Her involvement is not accidental; it's how she finds balance, identity, and joy. "Balance doesn't just mean slowing down," she said. "It means switching gears." And Jordan switches gears with purpose.

Moments That Shape an Athlete
Jordan's favorite athletic memories are etched with the emotion of hard-earned success and shared celebration. Winning the SCIAC Finals against Pomona-Pitzer after losing to them twice in the regular season remains a highlight "nothing beats getting a cool free t-shirt," she joked.

Another defining moment came this past fall on the team's preseason trip to New York, where the Athenas went undefeated and bonded over sightseeing, alumni visits, and a team dinner hosted by another Athena family.

And among her most joyful on-field memories is a moment from this season: beating Redlands at home in a rainy, unforgettable match. Jordan scored two goals, both assisted by Cate Lewison, and the celebration that followed became her all-time favorite. The team broke out into a full Spider-Man celebration, slipping and laughing on the wet turf, a moment of pure fun and connection that Jordan describes as "truly the highlight of playing for me."

Celebrating that win with her friends remains one of the memories she holds closest. Those memories, though joyful, sit alongside experiences that tested her strength far beyond the field.
 
Losing Everything, and Rebuilding Anyway
In January 2025, Jordan's family lost their home in the Eaton Canyon Fire, a devastating event that destroyed their belongings, heirlooms, instruments, childhood soccer mementos, and even her grandmother's ashes and keepsakes.

"I felt like I was losing a part of myself," she said. "Everything was gone."

Jordan returned to campus in the middle of the grieving process while balancing practices, classes, and weekend trips home to support her family's rebuilding efforts. Professors, coaches, and teammates surrounded her with compassion, gear, guidance, and constant support.

"CMS greeted me with open arms," she said. "I couldn't have gotten through it without them."

From this, Jordan gained what she describes as her greatest strength: resilience.

"Resilience isn't about ignoring pain," she said. "It's about finding the strength to rebuild while holding on to hope."
 
Setback, Comeback, and the Heart of an Athena
Jordan's soccer journey has never followed a straight line. Her ACL/MCL tear as a senior forced her to redshirt her first year at CMS and in a painful twist of fate, she has recently re-torn her ACL, once again navigating the grueling road back.

This time, though, she approaches recovery with the perspective of someone who has been tested in life-altering ways.

"When I face setbacks now," she says, "I remind myself of everything I've already overcome."

What she hopes her teammates and coaches remember isn't a stat line, it's her presence. Her commitment. Her leadership from the sidelines. Her "bounce-back ability," as she calls it. Her refusal to let adversity define her.

"As Kobe said, turn every setback into a comeback."
 
Looking Ahead
After CMS, Jordan dreams of working in professional sports, whether in social media, marketing, or player development. Last summer, she shadowed the LA Chargers' media team, where her sister works, and discovered a passion for behind-the-scenes impact.

"It reminded me of being on a team again; everyone working toward a common goal."

She carries into her future the discipline, adaptability, and compassion she's developed through every challenge.
 
A Lasting Legacy
Jordan Yates' story is not simply one of athletic excellence.
It is one of:
Resilience
Leadership
Community
And an unshakeable commitment to rising again, stronger every time

She hopes her legacy is one of showing up for others, staying hopeful in adversity, and embodying the spirit of an Athena, on and off the field.
Because no matter what she faces, Jordan continues to rebuild, to lead, to lift others, and to keep moving forward.