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Denison's James Meager Featured in Columbus Dispatch

Apr. 10, 2014

On April 10, 2014, The Columbus Dispatch did a feature on James Meager ('12). James, who played lacrosse at Kilbourne from 2009-2012, is a midfielder for Denision. Here is what the Dispatch had to say about James:

When James Meager went to college at Ohio State University, he left his lacrosse stick at home.

“Coming out of high school, I was done with sports,” said the 2012 Worthington Kilbourne graduate, who earned second-team All-Ohio lacrosse honors. “I’d been playing football and lacrosse all my life, and I thought I would take a break.”

He chose to attend Ohio State for the typical, big-school college experience.

But one year without lacrosse — a sport he has loved since first grade — was all he could handle.

“I just missed it so much.”

Luckily, Meager was still on the radar of Mike Caravana, the Denison University lacrosse coach, who had heavily recruited the midfielder.

After a few email exchanges last spring with Caravana and talks with his parents, Meager submitted paperwork to transfer to Denison for his sophomore year to play for the Big Red lacrosse team.

Both the school and the player have welcomed the change.

The Big Red, at 11-0, is off to its best start since 1967, with Meager ranking third on the team in points (goals and assists combined) going into last night’s game against Kenyon.

“He’s playing very well and helping our team excel,” Caravana said. “Being away from the game can rekindle a passion. Now that he’s playing, he loves it even more.”

Although Meager’s excitement for the sport has been reignited, he had a lot of catching up to do.

He had continued to run and lift weights during his freshman year at Ohio State, but he hadn’t touched his lacrosse stick.

During the summer, he entered lacrosse tournaments around the state to test his skills. He worked on stick-handling almost every day.

“I would go up to school (Perry Middle) and hit the ball against the wall,” said Meager, 20. “I’d call up a few friends to see if they wanted to play.”

The passion, talent and work ethic Meager has displayed has been an asset.

“I’m not shocked he’s contributing right away,” Caravana said.

And he isn’t surprised that Meager is back on the field.

The sophomore acknowledged that he was initially being stubborn about playing collegiately.

“But I missed the locker room, the camaraderie,” Meager said, “and that adrenaline rush you get going out on the field and playing every game.”

Meager said he has been “on cloud nine,” but he credits his teammates with accepting him and helping with his return to lacrosse.

“We have a great bond as a team,” he said. “All cylinders are clicking. We’re on a roll right now.”

award@dispatch.com

@AllisonAWard