Thayer Academy is proud to announce that Sarah Albrecht Meehan ’01 will be inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a member of its Class of 2026. 

USA Lacrosse announced the eight-member induction class Sept. 10. Meehan and fellow class members will be formally enshrined during a dinner ceremony at the M&T Bank Exchange in Baltimore on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2027. The Thayer alum will then join a select group of roughly 500 inductees enshrined in the National Lacrosse Museum at USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Maryland.

At Thayer Meehan was a standout three-sport varsity athlete. A four-year member of the varsity soccer team and a three-year varsity player in both basketball and lacrosse, she made her mark across every field and court she competed on. As a senior in 2001, Meehan was elected captain of the lacrosse team and helped lead Thayer to an undefeated season and an ISL Championship, which was the Academy's first since 1993. She earned All-ISL honors, landed a spot on the Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic Team, was named team MVP, and was recognized as a Second Team High School All-American. On the soccer field she served as senior captain and anchored the defense en route to All-ISL and All-State recognition along with team MVP honors. She also captained the basketball team as a senior, leading Thayer to an appearance in the 2001 NEPSAC Class B Tournament. In recognition of her standout career, Meehan was inducted into the Thayer Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Meehan's success carried into her collegiate career at Northwestern University where she played under head coach and fellow Thayer alumna Kelly Amonte Hiller ’93. Elected team captain as a freshman, Meehan went on to captain the Wildcats in each of her four seasons. She helped lead Northwestern to the first two of the program's nine NCAA championships, in 2005 and 2006, earning NCAA All-Tournament Team honors both years and being named the 2006 NCAA Division I Tournament MVP for her performance in the national title game. 

A two-time Collegiate All-American, Meehan was also a three-time All-ALC (American Lacrosse Conference) selection from 2004 to 2006. Her name remains etched throughout Northwestern's record books, where she ranks fourth all-time in career assists (71), sixth in career points (199), and seventh in career goals (128). She was also honored with the N Club Scholarship Award and the Lisa Ishikawa Award during her time on campus.

Meehan's excellence continued on the international stage following her graduation as she helped the U.S. Women's National Team capture orld Championships in 2009 and 2013, earning All-World Team honors on both occasions.

Anni McDonough Zukauskas ’94 P ’28, ’29, the current head coach of the girls varsity lacrosse team and an assistant coach during Meehan’s time at Thayer, called Meehan “a legendary three-sport athlete” whose newfound honor is well-deserved. 

“It was the greatest honor and privilege to coach Sarah and then have the joy of following her stellar lacrosse career all the way to the highest levels of success our sport has to offer,” said Zukauskas. “Through every outstanding achievement, Sarah has remained grounded in humility, gratitude, fun-loving humor, and genuine kindness and care for the many fortunate enough to call her a friend, teammate, and inspiration. I'm so proud to call her ours.” 

Athletic Director Bobbi Moran shared that Tiger pride regarding Meehan’s latest accomplishment. 

“Thayer Athletics could not be prouder of Sarah and this incredible, well-deserved recognition,” said Moran. “Her induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame stands as a testament to a career built on the same hustle, leadership, and competitive spirit she first showed as a Thayer student-athlete, and the entire Thayer community celebrates this achievement alongside her.” 

For a press release announcing USA Lacrosse’s entire Class of 2026, click here. 

PhoSarahAlbrechtMeehan (Courtesy Photo / USA Lacrosse)