By Matt Turer
Camdenton was better than its 6-13-1 record last year, and now the Lakers look to prove that in their second year under Mike Gow even after graduating seven starters and nine total seniors from last year’s squad.
The Lakers lost one of the best in the OC in Justin Gerdiman (Westminster College), along with leading scorer David Prather and counterpart Dustin Moesch (Evangel). Nate Martin is back at starting centerback to anchor the backline and senior Spencer Brunnert has come in as fit as anyone Gow has ever seen. Gow also keyed on Luke Galbreath and Josh Gerdiman as a pair to watch.
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“After his freshman season we knew Galbreath would be a good player for us, and Gerdiman has come in this summer with confidence and really solidified his place on the team,” Gow said.
Gow also commented on Martin’s importance to Camdenton’s defense: “He is determined to help get our defense where it needs to be to compete with the teams we have on our schedule.”
With the loss of seven seniors comes a bit of a youth influx into the program, and Gow has been pleased with what he’s seen out of that youth both this summer and back into last season.
“I’m really excited about how our younger guys stepped in last season, and several of them have been receiving some solid coaching from some very good club coaches,” he said. “But it is the same for every team. We all graduate good players and then someone steps in and fills the hole.”
Camdenton had a dozen players attend team camp this summer.
“It was hot, and the guys just supported each other for the week,” Gow said.
Camdenton fell 2-0 to Rolla in the first round of district play last year.
The Lakers open their 2017 schedule at Helias Catholic on Aug. 18.
