BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Legacy High School senior Camden Kooiman is a two-year soccer captain, a multiple-time all-region selection and an all-state player. The sport has been his first love since childhood, and this week he will lead the Sabers to their fifth consecutive state tournament appearance.
“There’s nothing like being able to win as a team in soccer,” Kooiman said. “I’ve always loved soccer and scoring goals.”
Quoiman has scored at will with 12 goals on the pitch this season, but he’s also scored on the gridiron.
“It was always the soccer players who took the kicks, and ever since Reese [Snow] I quit last year and I was like, ‘Why don’t you quit? ‘I was like, ‘Oh, that’s it,”’ Kooiman said.
Kooiman continues the tradition, becoming the fourth athlete in Legacy history to serve on both the soccer and football teams.
“It’s important to be prepared,” Kooiman said.
Quoiman said the hardest part was juggling a busy schedule and giving her body a break. It’s a dedicated practice that sometimes requires 4-5 hours of practice a day.
“You know, sometimes it’s very difficult to get kids to focus on one practice a night,” Sabers football coach Tom Marcis said. “Physically it’s been a little tough on him at times, but he’s a tough kid. He plays through it.”
That toughness is on display no matter what jersey he wears.
“It feels great and I’m grateful every day to be able to play both sports,” Kooiman said.
Quoiman plans to continue his competitive career on the field at the next level, but has not yet decided where he will play in college.
“He’s very dedicated as an athlete, but he’s going to go to the next level. This is a different kind of game,” Marcis said. “Will he fit in? Absolutely. Does he have the size to play at the next level? Absolutely.”
Kooiman has three more chances to lead Legacy before going to college, and it all starts Thursday against Fargo-Davis in the state tournament.
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