Hard work paid off for Meinken
Published 11:27 pm Wednesday, February 4, 2009
LYNNWOOD — Winless football teams rarely produce big-time college recruits. But Geoff Meinken hopes his story inspires others who worry that all is lost.
Meinken, a senior at Lynnwood High School, played for a Royals gridiron squad that was 0-10 this past fall. Yet, with help from Lynnwood head football coach Dorian Manza, college recruiters noticed Meinken, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound all-state defensive lineman who runs a 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds.
Meinken’s improbable journey reached a new peak Wednesday when he signed an NCAA National Letter of Intent during a ceremony at Lynnwood High, officially accepting a full football scholarship from Stanford University. It was the first day of the regular signing period for recruits who play football, soccer, cross country and track and field.
“It feels great. To have it over is a great relief, and it’s real,” said Meinken, the first Lynnwood player since 1993 to get an NCAA Division I football scholarship. He is also Snohomish County’s only Division I-Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as I-A) football prep recruit this year.
Opponents outscored Lynnwood 339-65 in 2008, but Meinken’s talent shined through. Said Meinken, “It’ll show kids that even if you don’t win, if you work hard you can do anything you want.”
“If you’re good enough, somebody’s going to find you,” Lynnwood High athletic director Rob McMains said.
Meinken originally made a verbal commitment to Washington State University. But his plans changed when Stanford pursued him. Meinken, who has a 3.45 cumulative grade-point average and scored 1810 on the SAT, said Stanford’s academic reputation swayed him.
The value of Meinken’s full scholarship — which includes tuition and housing — is valued at $48,500 for the first year. Over the course of a four- or five-year college career, it could add up to about $250,000.
“It’s incredible,” said Meinken, wearing a Stanford sweatshirt and hat. “I’m extremely fortunate to have this opportunity.”
Also incredible is how Stanford found Meinken, ranked as Washington’s tenth-best Class of 2009 recruit by SuperPrep magazine. This past fall some Stanford coaches came to watch a Mariner High player, whose team played Meinken’s Lynnwood squad on Sept. 26. Although he didn’t start the game and wasn’t fully recovered from a torn labrum in his shoulder, Meinken stood out on defense, making more than a dozen tackles during Lynnwood’s 49-0 loss.
The next day Meinken got a call from Lance Anderson, Stanford’s defensive line coach. Stanford wanted Meinken.
At Lynnwood, Meinken was a running back/defensive lineman. But for Stanford he will likely play middle linebacker, Meinken said.
Meinken expected to red-shirt his first year. But a few weeks ago during a visit to Meinken’s home, Cardinal head coach Jim Harbaugh said Meinken could contribute immediately.
“He thinks that I’m going to be able to play for them right away,” Meinken said. “I was surprised.”
More signings
Four Archbishop Murphy High student-athletes signed on Wednesday: football players J.J. Quinlan and J.D. Melton with Central Washington University; soccer players Brittany Allen and Melissa von der Hofen with Portland State University and Eastern Washington University, respectively.
Melton lived with Quinlan’s family for awhile during middle school and high school. They are close friends who plan to room together at Central Washington. Quinlan expects to play outside linebacker; Melton will be a wide receiver.
Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.
