The West Bloomfield Boy’s (WBHS) Soccer team was not simply a group of talented and dedicated athletes. They formed a veteran group of winning-motivated individuals with a common passion and experience for the sport. They went beyond establishing a unified and strong team, but a family. They forged bonds that may stick for decades to come and learned how to be fiercely independent within a team in order to make the overall unit stronger. The Lakers struggled to keep their record above .500 this season, as they finished with a 6-11-3 final record. However, there are some things that a team record cannot show. Such things are growth, development, friendship, character, and passion. These are critical qualities that helped shape a growing school program. The seniors included, Nash Talla, Skylar Jeppesen, Kenneth Knox, Cameron Dickinson, Joey Murzyn, Ameen Debryn, Robbie Reid, Jack Reed, Noah Loveless, and Torrey Vannostrand.

Upon reflecting on his final season as the Lakers’ goalie, Jeppesen replied, “Sharing every practice with some of my best friends. Soccer changed my life. I have a scholarship to play at the next level that will keep me disciplined and get a good degree.” He continued, “Soccer has taught me how to face adversity, and to always challenge myself.” Jeppesen plans on attending Cleveland State University to study business and continue his soccer career.

Defensive player Dickinson stated that his favorite season memory was, “Winning against Bloomfield on senior night.” He continued to explain the impact soccer has had by saying that. “it has kept me in shape and I hope to play some intramural soccer down at Alabama. I have learned a lot from the team such as how to work together and become friends off the field.”
Dickinson plans on attending the University of Alabama to study mechanical engineering.