From Dreams to Trophies: Celebrating NCAA Glory with Zac Harvey-Latham

NCAA D3 National Champion for St. Olaf College, Zac Harvey Latham with Upper 90 College Founder John Stevanja.

Over the past 13 years, my journey with Upper 90 College has been a mission to guide and send aspiring players into the dynamic landscape of USA college soccer. Today, I'm proud to share a remarkable achievement — four of our Aussie clients have ascended to the pinnacle of college soccer, earning National Championships across the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA.

In 2016, Daniel Linstead and the late Eric Birighitti etched their names into history, securing the National Championship with Hastings College (NAIA). The legacy continued with Blake Barklay, who added another chapter, becoming a National Champion with Southeastern Community College (NJCAA D2) in 2021. Last year marked a groundbreaking moment as Zac Harvey-Latham clinched our first NCAA National Championship with St. Olaf College in the NCAA D3.

Recently, I had the privilege of catching up with Zac, reflecting on his extraordinary journey. We delved into the intense lead-up to the National Tournament playoff, explored the highs and lows of his college soccer experience, and discussed his path toward a postgraduate degree in Physiotherapy, set to unfold after his graduation from St. Olaf next year.

Achieving a National Championship in a student-athlete's four-year journey is a monumental feat. Zac, along with other Upper 90 alumni, embodies qualities such as dedication, focus, hard work, and the delicate balance between academics and athletics. These traits not only pave the way for success on the field but also lay the foundation for the next chapter of their journeys — whether it's entering the workforce or pursuing higher levels of play, a realm attained by less than 2% of student-athletes.

Zac's achievement is a source of immense pride. His unwavering dedication and brilliant representation of the Upper 90 College brand are a testament to the excellence we strive for. The photograph capturing Zac with his National Championship trophy serves as a powerful symbol of his incredible four-year saga as a student-athlete in the USA college soccer system. And that Oles hoodie? It will be worn with great pride, a tangible reminder of Zac's extraordinary journey. The journey from dreams to trophies — a story that inspires and defines the very essence of Upper 90 College's commitment to shaping remarkable futures in college soccer.

Written by John Stevanja, Founder, Upper 90 College.