LEAH VARELA
ABOUT LEAH
Leah's Bio
Leah began playing soccer at the age of 5 and has played with a number of elite club soccer teams in New Mexico, Florida and Arizona. At the age of 14, Leah was recruited to play soccer and attend school at the world renowned IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. Leah attended the IMG Academy from her Freshman to her Junior year as she was able to graduate high school in just 3 years.
Leah was a heavily recruited soccer prospect out of IMG and ultimately chose to continue her academic and athletic career at Mississippi State University. Leah is currently a Freshman at MSU and is majoring in Kinesiology and she will play her first collegiate soccer season this fall.
LEAH'S SOCCER HISTORY
SOCCER HISTORY
College: UTSA (University of Texas San Antonio), Mississippi State University (Red shirt Freshman)
High School Club Team: IMG Academy Elite 06G GAL (FL)
Past Soccer Clubs: SC Del Sol DA (AZ), Utah Royals FC-AZ (ECNL), AZRio Rapids (NM) Albuquerque United Football Club (AUFC) (NM)
Position: Midfield, Outside Back, Wing
Academic Honors:
-
2024 Spring Mississippi State Presidents List (4.0 GPA)
-
Graduated from the IMG Academy in 3 years (End of Junior Year) with 4.69 GPA
Soccer Honors:
-
2022 IMG Academy Athletic & Personal Development Player of the Year Award Recipient
-
2023, 2022, 2021 Girls Academy League South East Conference Top 32 Selection
-
2021 Girls Academy League (GAL) National Championship (IMG Academy): Runner-Up
-
2020, 2019, 2018 ODP State Team Selection (NM)
-
2020, 2019, 2018 ODP West Regional Camp Selection
-
2020, 2019 ODP Interregional Selection (West)
-
2019 ODP Top 18 Selection to Play In Iceland Tournament (Cancelled Due To Covid)
-
2019 NM United High Performance Program selection (1 of only 3 female players selected)
Other Sports/Honors:
Cross Country:
-
Rio Rancho High School: 2019 Varsity Letterman (As 8th Grader)
-
11th place at State Cross Country Meet in 2019
Track & Field:
-
2017 & 2018 U.S. Track & Field State Championships Runner-Up (1500 & 3000)
-
2X Regional Qualifier
Basketball:
-
Club & School Basketball: 2013 to 2018
I give my absolute best every day because my team and coaches deserve that from me. I'm a hard worker who isn't afraid to put in the extra time and work to give me the best chance at achieving my dreams and goals.
- Leah Varela
REFERENCES
James Armstrong (Head Coach - Mississippi State University:
(334) 750-9552
Janny Rivera (My IMG Academy Club Coach):
(941) 539-9409
Don Cameron (Form IMG Academy Club Director):
(832) 232-1639
