Camas High School senior Bennett Lehner has been named the 2015-16 Gatorade Washington Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
The 5-foot-9, 150-pound forward and midfielder led the Papermakers to a 15-1-1 record entering the 4A Greater St. Helens League District Tournament. Lehner has scored 20 goals and delivered 10 assists. He has also maintained a 3.50 GPA in the classroom, and has volunteered locally as a church camp counselor and as a youth soccer coach.
The award, which recognizes athletic excellence, academic achievement and character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Lehner as Washington’s best high school boys soccer player. He is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award, which will be announced before the end of the month.
Lehner joins Nick Palodichuk (2009-10) and Brent Richards (2007-08) as the only three Camas High School soccer players to win this award.
“What makes Bennett so dangerous is his ability to maintain possession under heavy pressure and then find the open player by making the right pass,” said Kelcey Burris, head coach of Union High. “His ability to stretch the field with his pace is also an advantage.”
Lehner has signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer for the University of Dayton, in Ohio, beginning this fall.
The Camas and Union high school soccer teams play for the district championship tonight at McKenzie Stadium, in Vancouver. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
More details about Lehner’s honor will be added to this story as they become available. A full article will be published in the Tuesday, May 17, edition of the Post-Record.