By Angela Brunk
Jayden Eckerman, a senior at Eisenhower High School in Goddard, is entering his final soccer season with a decade-plus of experience and a determination to make every moment count. As a midfielder for the varsity team, Eckerman brings 14 years of soccer knowledge, passion, and leadership to the field.
Eckerman has high expectations for this season, not only for himself, but for his entire team, which include 12 seniors hungry for success. “We’ve worked really hard the last four years, so we’d like to go out with a great record,” he says. His goals include leading his team to at least eight wins and making First Team All-Conference. Last season Eckerman earned Second Team All-Conference, an achievement he is proud of.
Kicking off the 2025 season in style, Eckerman scored the first goal against Maize. Looking ahead in the season, a team he’s particularly excited to face again is Maize South. “They have always been a challenging team to play in the past, so for my last year, I would love to be able to pull off a win against them,” he shares.
In preparation for this season, Eckerman took a different approach to training. Instead of playing club soccer year-round as he usually does, he dedicated time to running, lifting weights, and participating in summer conditioning with his school team. The shift has allowed him to focus on both physical and mental preparation.
After high school, Eckerman hopes to continue his soccer journey at the collegiate level, but he also has plans to explore trade school opportunities. No matter what path lies ahead, Jayden Eckerman is focused on making this season one to remember, both on the scoreboard and in the memories he creates with his team.
