Helping Form Hamilton Soccer.
By: Olivia Tubergen
Chris Reuschel played soccer since he was very young. He took a break in 4th grade to try football, but he quickly realized his passion was soccer. In high school, sports were a huge part of Reuschel’s life. He played baseball and soccer and learned lots of life lessons along the way, including how to lead and listen when necessary, and how to work as a team. Reuschel let athletics and competition define who he was, but he wished he’d realized earlier that a win or loss does not define him as a player.
Chris Reuschel was on the first soccer team in Hamilton history. He played his sophomore year in 2004, junior year in 2005, and senior year in 2006.
Throughout the three years he played in high school, he
was on varsity. Reucshel played forward his sophomore and junior years, but in his senior year, he switched to attacking midfield.
Reucshel had multiple accomplishments throughout his high school soccer career. Reuschel was named to the Zeeland Recreation All-Area Team three years, All-District two years, All-Conference three years, and the All–Allegan County News Team three years. He also scored 32 goals throughout the three years he played in high school soccer. Reuschel claims that “Seeing how far Hamilton soccer has come, and knowing my teammates and I helped shape what it is today, is the most rewarding part.” He also played in the first-ever district game in Hamilton history.
However, the team was not perfect. Reuschel recalls never quite being the best team. Because the soccer program was new, it still had growing pains, and some players lacked experience. But Reuschel knows that overcoming tough moments and learning from them gave him life lessons he still puts into practice today.
A teammate who had a big effect on Reuschel was Travis Hulsman. He showed Reuschel that even when navigating something difficult in life, you can still smile, thank God for today, and work hard no matter the circumstances.
