At just 17 years old, junior London Young is making great strides in her growing soccer career. With an impressive blend of skill, determination and talent, Young has earned her spot on the Stanford University women’s soccer team. This spectacular achievement goes to show Young’s commitment to her sport and academics proving that diligence and dedication pays off.
London Young began her soccer career at the young age of four years old. After trying several different sports, soccer was the only thing that stuck as it allowed her to express her creativity while also having fun.
“Soccer was the sport I had the most fun playing,” Young said. “To me soccer is very artistic and creative, there are tons of things you can learn that make the sport fun and interesting. I am also a very competitive person and playing in matches allows me to channel my competitiveness.”
Her love for the sport led her to play for several years on noteworthy soccer clubs such as the United States U-17 women’s national soccer team and the Elite Club National League. While in this league she played in a number of showcase matches where she competed against teams from all over the country and garnered attention from multiple colleges to play soccer on a collegiate level.
“I was initially shocked when I received this offer but once the shock wore off I was proud of myself,” Young said. “All the time and effort finally paid off and I quickly realized I had a great opportunity ahead of me.”
Although she received offers from several schools to play for their soccer teams, she knew that Stanford was the right choice for her future.
“Choosing Stanford was a no brainer to me. Their academics are top tier and they are ranked very highly,” Young said. “When I toured the campus I instantly fell in love with the school. There was a lot of diversity on campus and the culture of their soccer team and coaches was amazing to see.”
For many athletes like Young, juggling both sports and academics can emerge as a challenge. However, Young has found success in balancing all her responsibilities as a student athlete.
“I prioritize time management since I travel a lot for games,” Young said. “I make sure to do my assignments even while I am competing. I email all my teachers before I leave and make sure they know I will be gone so I can do my assignments ahead of time.”
Young credits much of her success to her family. She recognizes the impact they have had in her life and is thankful for the effort and support they have shown her in her soccer career.
“I am very close with my parents, they have raised me to be who I am now because of their guidance and support,” Young said. “They are truly my inspiration.”
