Overview:
Haitian-Individuals RJ Oben and Guerby Lambert performed within the CFP Championship, highlighting Haitian expertise.
For 2 Haitian-American athletes, enjoying within the Faculty Soccer Playoff (CFP) Nationwide Championship Recreation marked a profession milestone, it was additionally a chance for the Haitian diaspora to rejoice athletes of Haitian descent excelling on the world stage. Whereas Notre Dame fell brief of their bid for the title, RJ Oben and Guerby Lambert left viewers with a lot to stay up for within the seasons forward.
Guerby Lambert, a freshman offensive lineman from Boston, Massachusetts, made his debut on school soccer’s largest stage. The 6’6” standout joined the Preventing Irish this season, and although the championship didn’t finish in Notre Dame’s favor, Lambert’s presence in such a high-stakes recreation displays his onerous work and potential as a future star.
RJ Oben, a senior defensive lineman with Cameroonian and Haitian roots, capped off his school profession in his first nationwide title recreation. The son of Roman Oben, a former NFL participant and Tremendous Bowl champion, RJ carried on his household’s athletic legacy whereas showcasing the expertise and dedication that defines many Haitian athletes.
Notre Dame fell 34-23 to Ohio State on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20. Whereas Ohio State celebrated their victory, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day mirrored on the sport and praised Notre Dame’s efficiency.
“I simply can’t say sufficient about our guys and what they’ve overcome to get up to now,” Day mentioned. “I assumed Notre Dame had an important season, and I believe Marcus does an important job they usually have a really, excellent crew and had a very good recreation plan.”
Whereas soccer has lengthy been the game most related to Haitian athletes, the diaspora is more and more making its mark in school soccer. Haitian-Individuals like Lambert and Oben are a part of a rising wave of gamers bringing delight to their communities by way of achievements on the gridiron.
For instance, Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty, who additionally has Haitian roots, rushed for greater than 1,200 yards and scored 13 touchdowns throughout the 2024 season, incomes All-Mountain West honors. His success, alongside gamers like Lambert and Oben, highlights how Haitian athletes are excelling in a sport the place their presence has historically been restricted.
Whereas soccer has lengthy been the game most related to Haitian athletes, the diaspora is more and more making its mark on school soccer. Haitian-American gamers like Lambert and Oben are a part of a rising wave of athletes excelling on the gridiron, bringing delight to their communities.
Notre Dame’s journey
Notre Dame’s season concluded with disappointment, however their efforts all year long beneath head coach Marcus Freeman demonstrated the crew’s resilience. Freeman, the primary African-American and Korean-American head coach to steer a crew to the CFP Nationwide Championship, expressed gratitude for gamers like Oben, who go away an enduring influence on this system.
“There’s going to be a variety of guys, seniors, that this was their ultimate recreation with Notre Dame soccer,” Freeman mentioned. “However they’ve left this place higher, and I’m very grateful to be on the journey with them.”
Lambert, a freshman, will return subsequent season, bringing the promise of continued development and management to Notre Dame’s offensive line. His efficiency this season has already established him as a participant to look at within the years forward.
Ohio State’s victory and Haitian delight in sports activities
On the opposing facet, Ohio State celebrated their championship with emotional moments for gamers like Will Howard and Eric Mensah. Howard, the crew’s graduate switch quarterback, credited his teammates and coaches for believing in him.
“I’m simply so grateful that I bought the possibility to come back right here and to be a Buckeye,” Howard mentioned. “Even when it was for only one 12 months, I’m blessed and unbelievably grateful.”
For Mensah, a freshman defensive lineman and first-generation Ghanaian-American, the victory marked an unimaginable begin to his school profession. “The whole lot goes by way of my thoughts, I’m simply thanking God proper now,” Mensah mentioned.
The accomplishments of Oben, Lambert, and different Haitian-American athletes mirror a broader narrative of various achievement for the Haitian diaspora. Their presence on school soccer’s largest stage not solely highlights their expertise but in addition conjures up younger Haitians to pursue their goals in sports activities and past.
As school soccer transitions to a 12-team playoff format, alternatives to shine will solely improve.