Committed - Kenji McCracken

The Left Hand Valley Courier is featuring each of the nine Niwot High School students who signed National Letters of Intent on the Nov. 13 fall signing day to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. From soccer to track and field, these athletes represent a diverse array of sports and dreams fulfilled.

For Kenji McCracken, soccer has always been more than just a sport. It is a passion that has shaped his life, forged lifelong connections, and now opened the door to collegiate athletics.

McCracken's soccer journey started when he was three years old in the backyard with his father. "I can remember kicking the ball with my dad when I was little," McCracken recalled. "He'd take me to parks or even the backyard and we'd kick for hours."

At the time, soccer was a fun way to bond with family and burn off youthful energy. It was only when McCracken was 12 and moved to Colorado that the game took on a more serious tone. "I didn't take it very seriously until I moved to Colorado," he explained. "I think being in a more competitive environment drew me to the sport."

That competitive spirit drove McCracken to excel, ultimately earning him a spot at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he will major in international business while continuing to play the game he loves. Committing to Metro State was the practical choice. "I wanted to stay local and save money going to college, while also playing soccer," he said.

McCracken's soccer career has been a blend of high school and club experiences, each contributing to his development differently. During his freshman and sophomore years, he suited up for Niwot High School, but as his skills advanced, he decided to step away from high school soccer and focus solely on club play with Real Colorado Soccer.

"Real Colorado helped me grow as a player because of the intense training and coaching," McCracken explained. The club's Academy Program exposed him to a higher level of competition allowing him to fine-tune his game. "The coaches at Real push me every day to get better, and it works," he said.

Despite the benefits of focusing on club soccer, McCracken wishes he "could've played for both Niwot High School and Real, especially my senior year." He acknowledges that focusing on club soccer was "definitely the right choice for me as a player."

McCracken's recruitment process was relatively straightforward, thanks to his performances in high-profile tournaments. "I played well in a couple of tournaments and started getting calls from a bunch of schools," he said. Metro State stood out as the ideal option, combining proximity, affordability, and the chance to continue playing at a higher level.

Soccer has been a constant in McCracken's life, not only as a sport but for the relationships it has fostered. "A lot of my friends have come from soccer," he said. "I've met so many people and stayed in touch with people from my hometown in North Carolina because of soccer."

The bonds he has formed through the sport, combined with its competitive nature, continue to fuel McCracken's motivation. "The people around me keep me motivated every day to continue playing," he said. "Real Colorado has a great environment to keep me committed to the game."

His weekly schedule consists of balancing practices, workouts, and school, all while finding some free time to unwind. "A typical training routine for me is practice and workout Monday through Friday, and then games on the weekends," he said. "I always make sure I have free time each day, and especially on the weekends, to get my mind off everything for a while."

McCracken has been fortunate to avoid major setbacks in his soccer journey, though he acknowledges the everyday challenges of being an athlete. "I haven't really faced any big injuries," he said. "Whenever I have something small bothering me, I just play more soccer and get over it."

His inspiration comes from various sources, including his teammates, coaches, and even a professional baseball player. "I look up to Shohei Ohtani because he's the GOAT."

Reflecting on his career, McCracken highlights playing in an All-Star game in Florida last February. "It was amazing to play alongside high-level players," he reflected.

Moments like those have reinforced his love for the game and his excitement for what lies ahead. As he prepares to join Metro State, one of the aspects he is most looking forward to is playing in front of enthusiastic crowds. "It's always fun to play in front of a lot of people."

While soccer remains a central focus, McCracken is also preparing for life beyond the field. He plans to follow in his family's footsteps by joining the military after college, before pursuing a career in government.

Through it all, McCracken has never lost sight of the joy the game brings him. His advice to younger athletes is simple: "Have the most fun possible while playing."

For McCracken, soccer has been more than a path to collegiate success. It has been the backdrop for countless friendships, a source of personal growth, and even a reminder to enjoy the simple things in life like his favorite food – pasta.