Megan Norton
NCAA Division II – Northern State University
South Dakota
NCAA Division II placement — Northern State University, South Dakota (2017)
The Journey
Megan Norton is one of Upper 90 College's early women's success stories from the company's original USA Football Forum era. Placed with the Northern State University Wolves — an NCAA Division II program in Aberdeen, South Dakota, competing in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference — Megan made the long move from Australia to the American Midwest in 2017. Her pathway wasn't a straight line. Megan endured a tough recruiting cycle and a series of eligibility roadblocks that had to be worked through one by one before she could take the field. Once eligible, she settled into college life in Aberdeen and began her career with the Wolves. Her story drew local media attention too: the Aberdeen American News interviewed Megan about her experience transitioning from Australia to playing and studying in the United States — a genuine inside view of what the move demands of a young Australian player. For families weighing up the US college pathway, Megan's journey is proof that the road can be bumpy and still be worth travelling.
Challenges Overcome
Megan's route to South Dakota was anything but smooth. She came through a tough recruiting cycle and had to work through a series of eligibility roadblocks before she was cleared to play — a process that required patience and persistence from Megan and her family, working closely together to get her eligible and on the pitch.
Achievements
Placed with Northern State University Wolves (NCAA Division II, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) in 2017. Featured by the Aberdeen American News (South Dakota) in an interview on her transition from Australia to playing college soccer in the USA — one of the earliest U90C-era women's placements on record.
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