Sports

Bernard scores with commitment to Catawba College soccer program

Nighthawk News Alumni • May 7, 2020

Senior Gage Bernard as well as seniors Landis Limon, Caroline Blaha and Dylan Blake participated in a virtual signing day ceremony at FFHS today, May 7. The ceremony was broadcasted via Google Hangout due to COVID-19. The pandemic also limited commitment stories featuring Blake, Blaha and Limon for now, but Bernard’s commitment story was already written prior to the pandemic. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CHAD WILLIAMS/Special to Nighthawk News

By Katie MacBride, Online Editor-in-Chief

Senior Gage Bernard has decided to continue his education and athletic career with his commitment to play Division II soccer at Catawba College. Bernard verbally committed to play soccer for the Indians on Nov. 15 and has now officially signed his letter of intent for Catawba, located in Salisbury, NC.

*Senior Gage Bernard poses for a picture with head soccer coach Juan Ramirez.* PHOTO SUBMITTED BY CHAD WILLIAMS

Bernard participated in club soccer for Beach FC in Virginia Beach, Va., for several years to improve his skill and be exposed to more college recruiting opportunities. With years of travel tournaments, school soccer and countless games and practices, Bernard also gives credit to his supporters who have helped him get to this point in his soccer career.

“All my coaches, friends and family have really helped me and pushed me to make me a better player,” Bernard said.

The opportunity to play in the South Atlantic Conference will help push Bernard to become a more skilled and well-rounded player. It will also introduce a new group of friends and teammates.

“I’m mostly looking forward to getting to learn about other people’s cultures from all around the world,” Bernard explained. “On my team, 13 out of the 23 players are from different countries, so it’s going to be cool to play with them, see and learn about their lifestyles and just how they play soccer.”

Committing to play college soccer with a new team is going to be an exciting and challenging experience for Bernard, but the memories of playing with his high school team will never be forgotten.

“I am definitely going to miss playing with my best friends every day. It’s such a blessing just getting to see them after school to play soccer,” Bernard said with a smile. “It’s just a bond that you can never really break.”

Scoring this opportunity is a huge accomplishment for Bernard and he is ready to see where it takes him.

“I am really excited. I have pretty much put my whole life into playing soccer, and it’s just really nice to get an offer and have it pay off,” Bernard said.

Junior Katie MacBride can be reached at 21macbrideka62@daretolearn.org.

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