The thrill of winning a district title this spring meant the world for Lehman High graduate Jesus Meza.
Getting the chance to do so as captain of a senior-laden Lobo soccer squad was also an amazing feeling.
But the ability to get it all done with his teammates by his side meant maybe just a little bit more.
“I think that a lot of the team was expecting a successful season just because we were all going to be seniors,” Meza said. “We all knew we could do it, so I wouldn’t say we were too shocked (about the results).”
One of the 17 seniors on the 2019 squad, Meza was named a captain before the season and took the leadership role head on. Because most of the team had played together since junior high, it led to an easy transition for Meza to be one of the vocal leaders of the team.
“I always wanted to go to a prestigious university. I really liked the culture and the vibe at Stanford, and its also like the best school for computer science. So that seemed to be the way to go.”
–Jesus Meza, Lehman High graduate
“Sometimes you felt the pressure of it, but with my teammates, like I said, I was really good friends with them so it was easy to lead them,” he said. “They were very receptive and open.”
Meza credited the team’s chemistry as the key factor in the Lobos having the successful season they had. A tight knit friend group of the senior class led to their chemistry both on and off the field and kept them focused on their team goals during the season.
“I think all of us had the same goal in mind, we weren’t playing for ourselves but we were playing for the team,” said Meza. “Everyone knew that and was about the message. We were all trying to get the team to the best thing we could and I think that was very key. It kept us really focused.”
Meza’s play on the field earned him All-Hays Free Press First Team honors at Midfield.
Meza said while he enjoyed playing every game, the Lobos’ 4-1 win over Westlake was a pivotal moment for the program.
“I can say for our team it was the first game against Westlake, it was a really big statement game and we won,” he said. “We really outplayed them, so it made us all feel really good about our game.”
Meza’s gaze now centers on the next chapter in his life. Earlier this year, Meza was accepted at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA; he had also been accepted at Harvard University and Yale University.
After visiting all three campuses, he fell in love with Stanford and decided that was the route he wanted to go.
“I always wanted to go to a prestigious university,” said Meza. “I really liked the culture and the vibe at Stanford, and it’s also like the best school for computer science. So, that seemed to be the way to go.”
While he is still undecided about what he wants to major in at Stanford, he is leaning toward computer science.
As for soccer, Meza said he’s thinking about trying out for the club soccer team at Stanford, but is unsure if he will play based on the time commitments and rigors of college life.
When looking back on his senior season, Meza reflected that what he will miss the most is playing the game he loved with his close friends.
“I just enjoyed every game and I’m really going to miss it.” Meza said.
