Cubs Comrades

Co-Captains Max Meier and Nathan Turk Lead Loyola Varsity Football Team to CIF Semifinals   

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Loyola’s loss to Redondo Union in the semifinals of the Southern Section Division 5 playoffs marked the final chapter in the outstanding high school football careers of co-captains Nathan Turk and Max Meier.    

“Nate and I have played together since our days at Corpus Christi, where we won the CYO championship, and we’ll be Cubs for life,” Meier said. “At Loyola we went undefeated as freshmen with [fellow Palisadian] Jack Thomas as our quarterback. Loyola then elevated to the Mission League, one of the best in California, and I’m proud of how we persevered.”

A three-year starter at defensive end, Meier finished his senior season with 113 tackles (19 of those for losses), 11.5 sacks and 30 quarterback hurries. The two-time All-Mission League selection received 24 Division 1 offers before signing with Stanford.

“It’s been an incredibly challenging year,” Meier added. “I lost my home in the Palisades Fire and relocated to Manhattan Beach. We’re in the process of rebuilding. I was approached by major programs like Mater Dei and Sierra Canyon to transfer, but my commitment to my brothers and Loyola was never in doubt. In May I lost my best friend and big brother, Braun Levi, to a drunk driver, which made the fires pale in comparison. I miss him every day but will dedicate myself to delivering my all at the next level as that’s exactly what he’d want to see.”

The quintessential student-athlete, Turk grew up in the Huntington and most of his childhood memories are of playing sports at the Palisades Recreation Center and YMCA. He not only excels at football but is also a wrestler and plans to shot put in the spring. He has a 4.55 GPA, is Vice President of the student body and has been on student council all four years. His family bleeds Loyola blue as his older brother Ryan, a 2024 Loyola alum, plays offensive guard at Dartmouth and his younger brother Graham, a sophomore starting lineman on the Cubs’ JV squad, got moved up to varsity for the playoffs.

“I’ve had an amazing time playing with Max at Loyola the last four years—it’s definitely a memory I’ll cherish,” said Turk, who was credited with 68 pancake blocks as a senior and has committed to play offensive tackle at Harvard. “We started playing sports together in grade school and were even neighbors for awhile. It’s always worked out well for us because as linemen on opposite sides of the ball who know each other so well we have highly competitive and aggressive reps against each other while giving each other tips to strenghthen each other’s game. Max always pushes me to be a stronger, faster and better player. I’m proud to be part of the Loyola football brotherhood.”