Jean Mejia’s rise in Freeport soccer

A captivating story is unfolding on Freeport High School’s soccer field. Jean Mejia, the senior captain of the varsity soccer team, is solidifying his reputation as an exceptional athlete for the third year in a row.

Mejia, who plays forward, has become a force to be reckoned with in Long Island high school soccer. He earned All-Conference honors for the first time as a sophomore, and followed that up with All-County recognition as a junior, in a season when he contributed four goals and four assists with his on-field leadership. This season, Mejia has been named to Newsday’s list of the top 100 soccer players on Long Island for the second straight year.

“He is an exceptional playmaker and facilitator who possesses game vision, quickness, power and intelligence,” Freeport High soccer coach Craig Klasson said of his captain.

Mejia was born and raised in Freeport, and his journey to soccer success began when his mother, recognizing his boundless energy as a child, signed him up for the sport as a means to channel his energy. Jean developed a passion for soccer, and joined the East Coast Soccer Club where he honed his abilities and learned the value of teamwork.

Mejia’s transition from middle school to high school soccer was marked by increased competitiveness and a greater commitment to the sport. He made the Freeport varsity team as a freshman, holding his own among older and more experienced players.

He became the team captain as a junior, earning the honor with his unwavering commitment to the Red Devils success. His promotion was no surprise, because he had consistently demonstrated leadership qualities on and off the field.

“There were times I really wanted to quit,” Mejia said. “My coaches, my parents, family, friends, my teammates, everybody knew that for me, I wouldn’t quit.”

He understands the responsibility that comes with the role of captain. He sets the tone for the team, and serves as a role model for his fellow players, inspiring them to excel.

That leadership extends to the classroom as well. “I’m a student athlete, so my studies are just as important to me,” Mejia said. “I have to lead by example for the other teammates.”

Balancing academics and athletics as a senior is no easy feat, but Mejia has managed to maintain good grades while being a leader on the field. His advice to aspiring student-athletes is simple.

“School is tough, and you may not always want to do the work, but it’s worth it,” he said. “You don’t want to look back and regret not giving your best effort.”

The pandemic presented a unique set of challenges for Mejia when Covid swept across the globe in the spring of 2020, disrupting the regular flow of sports seasons and practices. He and his teammates on Freeport’s Middle School team didn’t play at all for nearly a year, and like other athletes, Mejia faced uncertainty about the future of his soccer career. When he joined the varsity team, players had to adapt to a new normal, wearing masks and adhering to social distancing guidelines, which changed the dynamics of their practices and games. The camaraderie of a team sport was strained due to safety precautions.

All of that is now a distant, bad memory, and as Mejia approaches the end of his high school career, he has his sights set on a future filled with soccer. His immediate goal is to continue playing at the collegiate level, and ideally to earn a spot on an NCAA Division I team.

Beyond college, Mejia dreams of making it in professional soccer. While England’s Premier League is his ultimate aspiration, he is open to the possibility of playing professionally in the United States or another international league.

For now, though, he hopes to lead the Red Devils to a successful season in the Nassau County Boys Soccer League and to make a significant impact both on and off the field, as a student, an athlete, a leader, and perhaps a future professional star.