When Kai Honda was operating a ten.73-second 100 meters final spring at an elite prep faculty in New Hampshire, Phillips Exeter Academy, many have been impressed along with his velocity. He needed to remind them he was from Southern California and his classmate throughout his highschool days at Gardena Serra was Rodrick Nice, one of many quickest youngsters in America.
“I’m average back home,” he advised them. “My friend runs 10.09.”
Honda, the son of two medical doctors, has moved on to Princeton, the place he’s a freshman operating again within the Ivy League. His yr attending a prep faculty helped put together him for what’s forward.
“It was a lot different,” he stated. “I was getting used to all the trees, the different greenery. I experienced the East Coast winter in a dorm.”
Raised in Manhattan Seaside, Honda is one in all 46 college students from Southern California on Ivy League soccer groups. The season started final week. They perceive lecturers comes first however need the very best of each worlds, from incomes a level to enjoying school sports activities.
“I’m not too focused on playing this year,” he stated. “I’m focused on getting the grades so I can balance school and athletics.”
Gardena Serra operating again Kai Honda (25) runs the ball in opposition to Downey in 2022.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Occasions)
At Serra in 2022, Honda was one in all his staff’s most versatile gamers. He ran the ball, caught passes, performed protection and kicked discipline targets. He had by no means heard of Phillips Exeter when his senior yr was nearing a conclusion.
“The prep school was never in the plan,” he stated. “It was a last-minute thing. I was on an official visit to Harvard. They said they liked me but at the last minute they said no and referred me to Phillips Exeter.”
Honda wished an Ivy League schooling and was advised prep faculty was the way in which Ivy League faculties recruit. He performed soccer and ran monitor, labored on his grades and satisfied Princeton to welcome him. He adjusted on the fly.
Southern California gamers on Ivy League soccer rosters for 2024.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Occasions)
“I was never set on any school,” he stated. “I knew I wanted to play Division I football from a little kid, but I wasn’t sure how I’d get there. I never expected to take a post-graduate year at some school in New Hampshire. I know the goal of going to the NFL is the goal of many but the reality is only a handful get there.
“I’m going to work hard and do everything to get there, but I’m not going to be upset if told no. I want the best backup plan. I would much rather go to an Ivy League school, play four years of football, have a great time, live an amazing life and have such a great degree and diploma.”
The Ivy League path has been embraced by athletes from round Southern California. Harvard-Westlake has 5 former gamers on rosters, with Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and Loyola having 4 every and St. John Bosco with three.
Jameson Wang, a quarterback from Oaks Christian, is a returning starter at Cornell. Caleb Sanchez, the beginning quarterback at St. John Bosco final season, is a freshman at Columbia. Former Mater Dei receiver Cooper Barkate is likely one of the key gamers at Harvard. Yale has receiver Nico Brown from Edison and tight finish Scott Truninger from Corona del Mar.
Honda nonetheless hasn’t selected an educational focus at Princeton. Sure, his dad and mom have been medical doctors, in order that might be a future path, however he additionally likes enterprise and economics, so his first few years will probably be about exploring lessons and seeing what he likes.
“I’m not taking any of that for granted,” he stated. “I’m so fortunate to be here.”
