Ramesh Gorantla '24 Recruiting Profile

From a young age, soccer has held a special place in my heart. It became clear to me early on that I wanted to dedicate my life to the sport, and I worked hard to pursue this passion. From the ages of 6 to 17, I trained almost every day at the Ukrainian Soccer Academy, supplementing team practices with additional sessions with friends. Despite the considerable time devoted to sports, I never allowed my studies to falter. I excelled academically in Ukrainian school and always was an exemplary student. This played an important role in my success in the Future Leaders Exchange Program, sponsored by the United States Department, which ultimately led me to the U.S

Upon arriving in the United States, I realized that this was where I wanted to build my future. Although I currently study in 11th grade at Idaho-Falls High School due to certain regulations for exchange students, I am also completing my final year at a Ukrainian school and am determined to pursue higher education at an American college afterward. When it comes to soccer, my experience in the U.S. has been amazing. Despite joining the team mid-season, I quickly established myself as a key player. While in Ukraine, I primarily played as a central defender, in the US coach played me as a midfielder and striker in addition to my original position, which allowed me to bring more impact. We finished our season by entering the state tournament and winning the consolation championship, knocking out a second seat at state.

As I look ahead, I am very excited to showcase my full potential at the next stage of my journey.