El Reno’s Luke Lemke
By Trina Walker
From the adrenaline-filled highs to gut-wrenching lows, soccer is packed with emotion. It is a challenging game that can change in an instant. Luke Lemke says the mixture of feelings he experiences during a soccer match is what he loves most about the game.
Lemke is a junior at El Reno High School. He enjoys the chemistry of his team and seeing their bonds grow game after game.
“Something I have learned through soccer is to take time in life. Not everything needs to be rushed or forced; some things take time to develop,” Lemke said.
Although some things happen pretty fast. Lemke recalls his freshman year when he scored the first goal of the game and the season.
He has learned not to be intimidated by other players. The advice to ‘chill out’ has served him well. There is no reason to be scared of anyone on the field because they are the same as him. This mindset helps him perform to his best ability.
“The teammate who has left the biggest impression on me is Jahir. He showed me how to be cocky without being a jerk and taught me so much about handling situations in a reasonable manner,” Lemke said.
The person who most inspired him was a Little League coach.
“Coach William pushed me to work harder, and he taught me to learn to love the game and learn every position,” he said.
He always strives to learn something new and is thankful to have a supportive family to encourage him.
“I would like to thank my parents for all the money, time and travel they have put into my soccer career. They are at every game, cheering for me during the game and challenging me after the game to do better, be better,” Lemke said.
He also enjoys spending time with family away from soccer. Lemke looks forward to being outdoors and going hunting with his Grandad.
The best vacation, he says, was a spontaneous one. An out-of-town soccer tournament was cancelled after checking into the hotel. With no plans and no itinerary, they made the best of it.
“A Walmart trip for a fishing pole, bait and snacks. We had a blast!” he exclaimed.
Lemke plans to go straight to work after high school unless some college offers come his way. He is enrolled in the electrical trades program at Canadian Valley Vo-Tech and will graduate with his apprentice license.
