![Junior Grant Levins sprints down the track. "I'm here to try out because I love the sport of track and field and I'm working on my 800 [meter] time. Just trying to get better," Levins said.](https://www.wjpitch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/g82ehdhTRiNswrE8gfn0tL9VRz7fuAnaiIKPCaOI-1200x900.jpg)
Coming from an athletic family, senior Sven Meacham was naturally inclined to play a sport and quickly found his love for a soccer ball at his feet. Now, 15 years later, Meacham has worked his way up to the Ivy League and will be playing at Yale next year.
Meacham plays for Bethesda SC Academy on their MLS NEXT team. Due to the heightened level that Meacham competes in, he was unable to play for the Walter Johnson boy’s soccer team after his freshman year.
“It is definitely a downside of playing club. When I played freshman year it was one of my favorite experiences. I met a lot of great people and I really felt immersed in the WJ athletic culture,” Meacham said.
Although Meacham only competed for the Wildcats for one year, he made an impact on the team and showed who he is as an athlete.
“Sven was always a competitive player who wanted to be the best and win every game. He was a great teammate for that reason because he pushed everyone around him to become a better player,” senior Loic Nsoga-Mahob said.
Even though Meacham is now unable to play for the Wildcats, the exposure his club team has given him presented many recruiting opportunities. He is also thrilled to continue his education at such a prestigious school.
“I am still determining what I will major in at Yale, but I am leaning toward sociology or economics. Possibly something in global affairs,” Meacham said.
When visiting different colleges, Meacham made sure that he loved not only the athletic atmosphere but also the school itself.
“I looked at the level of academics and soccer. I would try and picture myself at the institution without soccer, meaning, I would ask myself if I would like the school and the environment if I didn’t play soccer there. If I could picture myself there without soccer it was a huge plus,” Meacham said.
Meacham acquired multiple Division I offers, but after visiting Yale, the decision was easy.
“When I visited Yale I knew that it was the place for me; it just felt like home, and I could imagine myself thriving there,” Meacham said.
Meacham verbally committed on Jun. 8 and will transition from Wildcat to Bulldog in the fall 2024 school year.
