On April 22, 2024, senior Sujay Ohja announced his commitment to play Division II soccer at the Dominican University of California.
Recruitment was a struggle for Ohja despite succeeding to receive an academic scholarship as well as athletics covering some of his tuition. During his junior year at SCHS, a major time for recruitment, he planned to play in additional tournaments and guest-play for teams. Ohja, however, tore his MCL and meniscus, causing him to be out for six months.
“That was a big blow to me, so (after recovery) I was on my grind to get back into shape,” Ohja said. “Going into senior year with almost no (college) interest, I had to rebuild all the connections with the coaches I had during my junior year.”
Despite his injury, Ohja managed to overcome the setback his injury caused. Regularly contacting college coaches and making them aware of his situation so they knew he was still interested was crucial for his recruitment process.
“The main thing (for me) is just being consistent and always emailing coaches,” Ohja said. “Also having the people around you that want to help you and that want you to succeed, so asking coaches because sometimes coaches have connections.”
The process leading up to Ohja’s commitment of balancing both academics and athletics was a challenge.
“I had to make a schedule around it, so if that means having to stay up a little later to do academics, then I had to sacrifice that,” Ohja said. “It’s definitely really important to monitor both of those because number one is academics. It’s what gets you into the school, so definitely focusing on that for sure.”
Putting his injury in the past, Ohja strives to overcome his setback as practicing everyday is a non-negotiable.
“Whether it be just getting touches inside my own house, I would at least just be having the ball and having the presence around my feet. Practicing everyday is a big thing because there’s always people out there who are also practicing,” Ohja said. “Even if it’s not with the ball, I would be looking up videos or other things on my position and how to get better.”
Ohja makes history within his family by being the first to have the opportunity of playing collegiate athletics. His family influenced his dedication to soccer and success.
“I just felt like I needed to grind constantly on it (soccer),” Ohja said. “My grandfather was also a big part of that, and he, unfortunately, passed away, so after that, I just had more of a drive to fulfill it for not only myself but for the rest of my family, too.”
While Ohja’s loved ones influenced his choice of committing to the Dominican University, the campus’s small population itself captured his interest.
“It was close to home, and I wanted to be kind of close to my friends and to my family to check in on them every once in a while,” Ohja said. “It’s a small enough school. I liked the atmosphere where you can focus and have a genuine relationship with all your teachers and friends. Everybody knows everybody. I think being an athlete, a smaller school would definitely help, where you can get the attention that you need for academics, too.”
Being a senior in high school, Ohja understands that his upcoming freshman year will be a challenge on the soccer field. He has, however, made it clear that he is preparing himself for his first collegiate soccer season.
“I’m locked in 2.0 now because club practice is just club practice. I’m going out of my way even more, whether it’d be to hit the treadmill for at least 45 minutes, or just having soccer on the back of my mind at all times,” Ohja said. “It’s a completely new thing, going to a new school. I have to rebuild my status as a player and have to break into the starting lineup.
As graduation approaches, Ohja has made many fond memories throughout his club soccer career. Traveling the world with his team has made lasting impacts.
“When me and my team went to Sweden during my sophomore year, that was just a completely new experience for me and being able to meet the local people there,” Ohja said. “Traveling with a team and being part of a group that is not going to be just friends while you’re on the team but friends even after the team ends. I think traveling and to experience that, making not just friendships but brotherhood, that was a big thing.”
Ohja looks forward to his approaching college experiences playing the sport he loves and being able to expand his horizon by learning from different perspectives.
“It’s going to be a new experience for sure, but I kind of like those things because it’s gonna teach me life lessons into my future career,” Ohja said. “I hope to learn different aspects of playing, not only collegiate athletics but being a college student as well.”