MIHS soccer has helped Gersch grow as a person and player

The center back will play at Whitman next season.

By Andy Nystrom • April 1, 2022 8:30 am

When Cooper Gersch joined the Mercer Island High School boys soccer program as a freshman, he was pleased with the welcoming environment and has felt a strong connection to the players and coaches over the last four years.

Everyone’s supportive of each other and strives to improve their skills while putting copious notches in the victory column.

“I’ve continuously felt that, and it’s overall a great environment to be in and very helpful to grow as a person and as a player,” said Gersch, a center back and one of three captains alongside fellow seniors Brady Gilroy and Hawkins Sanborn.

At press time, the Islanders were 2-1 in 3A KingCo and 3-2 overall coming off a pair of victories over Juanita, 3-1, and Hazen, 5-1. Junior center forward Kaleb Rawson and junior left winger Luca Galvin have netted a batch of goals for the squad.

“We have a very solid team overall and we seem to be working really well together. It’s early on in the season, but I can already see how talented we can be,” said Gersch, adding that playing hard and trusting in each other and the coaches will take the Islanders far this season.

Gersch has committed to play next season at Whitman College in Walla Walla, where he plans to study exercise science. He aspires to work as a physical therapist in the future.

The Reporter asked Gersch a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his life:

Do you have a daily motto?

I try and keep a positive attitude. If I ever feel myself getting down or getting upset, I try and pull myself back up and realize that, “If today’s a bad day, tomorrow’s going to be a better one.”

What’s your favorite restaurant on the Island?

Either Toshi’s or Pagliacci or Homegrown.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

For some reason, in class, the pen clicking. It’s a silly one, but that can be annoying.

If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

Either LeBron (James), I’m a big fan of his, or Messi.

Do you have a hidden talent that maybe somebody doesn’t know about?

I’m really good with animals. I have two dogs: one is a golden doodle and one is a cocker spaniel poodle mix.

If Hollywood made a movie about you, who would play you?

Tom Holland.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

I really love “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the first one.