While many teenagers passed the summer relaxing at the pool, seven potential Lady Panthers soccer players and four Bradwell Lady Tigers spent three grueling days at Georgia Southern University’s Eagle Soccer Camp on July 16-19.

Two incoming Liberty County High School seniors Dianna Jiménez and Karen Donaldson, juniors Jenna Rountree and Tiffany Marquez, and sophomores Meg Gatch, Brittany Berhorst and Cynthia Kornegay traveled to Statesboro for the extra conditioning courtesy of Elowyne Marquez, whose fundraising efforts made the trip possible.

The four Bradwell participants were Ashley Riles, Danielle Durham, Kaylee Durham and Kayla DeJesus.

The intensive three-and-a-half-day program included individual training exercises stressing speed and agility in the morning for two hours, team tactical training exercises in the afternoon for two hours, and tournament style games for two hours in the evenings. The team also attended classes that covered topics like nutrition and team psychology.

While the midday temperatures rose, the athletes remained cool under pressure. At the end of the camp the coaches critiqued the ladies on how well they did and gave them improvement tips. The upcoming soccer season starts in February.

The soccer camp was run by GSU women’s soccer coach Ashley Hart and assistant coach Jamey Newsome.

Approximately 60 players, representing various high schools in the area, attended the camp.