By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
KEIZER. Ore.– The game of soccer has meant a lot to McNary Head Coach Miguel Camarena. He grew up playing the game down in Mexico, and he hasn’t given up the love for the game all these years later.
On Monday evening, on the eve of his 23rd year at McNary where he’s won 179 games and currently sitting at 185 career wins, Camarena got to share the game of Soccer with the youth of the community of Keizer when the Celtics opened their Youth Camp.
“I grew up playing this game down in Mexico, and I got the opportunity to play as a pro, so it’s been my life. And just to be able to share all these opportunities to these kids for me, it’s incredible,” said Camarena.
Following the camp, Camarena turned his focus to his High School athletes as team camp starts this week in preparation for their season ahead.
His passion for the game carries over to them as well. Last season was a memorable one for McNary.
After a 2-2-1 start to the year, the Celts turned it on and wheeled off 11 wins in their next 13 games to reach the 6A State Semifinal Round for the first time since the 2009 season. It capped an exciting season for McNary that saw them also win their third-straight Central Valley Conference title in the process.
“Exciting, the last time we went to the Semi-Finals, was in ’09. We’ve been the conference champions the last three years, that’s impressive. We were close this last year, and we had a chance to beat Jesuit. But I’m excited because a lot of those guys are coming back this year and the new guys to come play in this program,” Camarena said.
The long-time McNary coach mentioned too that they will have a lot of work to do between now and their first game and to work on the little things.
McNary will have the McKay Invitational this Saturday at McKay High School and try-outs that start next week. All in preparation for the upcoming season ahead that officially kicks off September 2 at home against Lakeridge.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
