There is one thing for certain when the subject of Bethel boys’ soccer comes up. No matter the year, the Bees strive to be among the best programs in Ohio. Every year, the Bees compete for not only the conference title, but also a long run in the playoffs.

Coach Bob Hamlin will be the first to tell you, the core of the success comes from the hard work of his players. They are instilled to win, and they compete every night as a formidable challenge for their opponent.

This year will be no different, as several talented players return for the Bees, one of them is junior Tyler Brueckman, who has already achieved a lot of success for the program. But individual accolades aside, he has one goal in mind as the season kicks off in less than one month.

“Team goals are always a stressed factor for Bethel Soccer,” Brueckman said. “They provide checkpoints and things to work towards throughout the season. The goals are very good motivators to not only me, but the whole soccer program.”

“One major goal that we have every year is to be champions of the Cross County Conference. This is a realistic goal that is achievable if we continue to work hard and grow as soccer players. The second goal for this season is to perform better than last year. Our soccer team lost eleven seniors this year, and that is a huge hole to fill. I want nothing more than to succeed more than anyone planned for us to this upcoming year.”

In order to continue the success with some new faces is for the returning players like Brueckman to shine both on and off the field for the Bees. To him, being a leader is as important as putting up the stats on the field.

“There is always something to work on to become the best player that you can possibly be,” he said. “For me, it is becoming a leader for my teammates on and off the field. Whether it is athletics or scholarly, I am always working to improve.”

“The largest thing that I am working on as an individual is perseverance. I believe that anything is possible as long as you don’t quit. I want to be the role model that is known to be the most hard-working, never to give up, and being a leader.”

While he is a vocal leader, he has already proven to be a contributor to the program. He has many memories of the two years he has played with the Bees.

“The first highlight was being the starting center mid the first game of my freshman year, it had been a goal nearly all of my life, and it was very rewarding to reach my goal,” he said. “The second highlight I have enjoyed while playing high school soccer is starting every single varsity game we have played. I have continued this streak freshman and sophomore year, and I plan to continue throughout my high school career.”

“Another highlight that sticks in my head is Senior Night my sophomore year. We played Tecumseh and started the game down 2-0. I had scored two goals that game, and we pulled through with a 4-2 victory. That night was one of my favorite games I have ever played in.”

Brueckman also plays baseball for the Bees, and vividly remembers how he got his start and his love for both sports.

“I began playing baseball in New Carlisle when I was four years old, and the largest influence leading me to play baseball was my parents,” the Bees junior said. “I would spend constant hours catching flyballs from my dad, he made me love baseball.”

“I began playing soccer at the age of three, and first team was in Springfield. The largest influence leading me to play soccer was my mom, who coached me that very first year. She had played soccer at a young age and wanted me to enjoy the sport like she did. Over time, I have grown to love both of the sports more than anything. They are not only a pastime activity, but also a lifestyle that I love.”

Brueckman wants to continue playing soccer at the next level after high school, and already has a plan for that to happen.

“I believe with the continued hard work and maintaining of my academics that I can attend a university,” he said. “I plan to play for a college on a scholarship and study my degree while playing soccer. I will continue to grow and improve to reach that level of ability.”

Brueckman was awarded Second Team All-Conference, Third Team All-Area, and maintained a 4.0 GPA each of his first two years. He also is involved in the Bethel Choral Music Program, works at fundraisers, sing at competitions, and perform concerts. Brueckman is also a part of the Youth Leadership program.

Once in college, he plans to major in either physical therapy or sports medicine.

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