After 15 years of soccer, senior Penn Kaplan topped off his high school career with a commitment to Division III Claremont McKenna College this August. Penn was inspired to start playing by his soccer-passionate family — his mom and uncle played Division I soccer at Washington State University — and has since developed a unique connection to the sport.
“I like the intensity of the game,” Penn said. “ It almost puts you in a different mode. I really like my team; having that bond with people and working together on the same field is a cool experience.”
Before taking soccer as his main sport, Penn played basketball and football. Halfway through high school, he decided to focus on soccer seriously and joined SVSA (Silicon Valley Soccer Academy).
“In the last four years, I’ve grown a lot as a player,” Penn said. “I never really thought I would play college soccer until high school. Then I put my best foot forward.”
Starting his sophomore year, Penn entered the recruitment process, showcasing his talents at tournaments and sharing his highlight reels to coaches across the country. As a defensive center midfielder, Penn needed to prove he was physically fit, good on the ball, and a strong passer.
“Colleges want players that play at a high level, and that can make an impact in high level games,” Penn said.
With 27 players on the Claremont McKenna roster, but only 11 on the field, competition — now for playtime — continues. Despite that, Penn’s coach at SVSA, Mike Shabari, has confidence that Penn can handle that competition.
“Penn has this competitiveness that separates him from other players, and his technical ability and leadership will get him far,” Shabari said.
To prepare for college training, Penn practices year-round with SVSA. However, the heavy commitment comes with its challenges, from balancing soccer with academics to various injuries.
“I’ve sprained my ankle, strained my calf, and after pulling my hamstring, I’ve been out for two months,” Penn said. “It’s hard to get back into shape after an injury.”
Despite these difficulties, Penn had many strong seasons throughout high school and was offered a spot on multiple other college teams. He ultimately chose Claremont McKenna for its academics and location.
“I really like the campus itself,” Penn said. “The Claremont coach also showed the most interest out of everybody. I’m just glad to have options for playing college soccer.”
With his determination to improve, Penn is motivated to remain successful on the field in college.
“Penn’s best years of soccer are ahead of him,” Penn’s mother Renee Kaplan said. “He knows how to compete and win at the highest levels of soccer in the country, and there’s no limit to what he can do.”
