Player of the week: Garrison Mast

Senior Garrison Mast is this week’s player of the week for Grand Haven athletics. Mast is the boys varsity soccer team’s starting goalie.

Mast had a goal this season, to average at 0.75 goals a game. He exceeded this, finishing the season with an average of about 0.63. Mast let only 11 goals past him out of 17.5 games.

“I could have done been better,” Mast said. “But even though I wish it was lower, I’m still so happy with my average.”

Masts teammates believes that they are very lucky to have a goalie as good as him. They agree that knowing Mast is in the goal helps them to play at the highest level of their ability.

“It’s a sense of security,” senior teammate David Kraphol said. “For me, I know that behind me is an amazing goalie, and that if I screw up, he will be there to clean up and get me back on track.”

Mast put so much work into making his last season an amazing one. Throughout it, Mast and his team became stronger and worked better together each and everyday.

“Many people thought that this would be a rebuilding year but we definitely proved them wrong,” Mast said. “I’m proud of what this team accomplished; winning a district title, competing for a conference championship, and working hard each and every day.”

Mast has led his team to the title of the District Champions as the starting goalie for three years. Head coach Aaron Dean attributes his success to his work ethic.

“His approach to how he prepares for each practice and game and the extra work he does away from the usual team training makes the biggest difference,” Dean said. “If you do only what everyone else does, you’ll only ever be like everyone else. To stand out, you need to do things differently.”

Mast isn’t sure of his final plans as he moves onto college next fall, but he is in the process of choosing between colleges.

“Hope, Alma and Davenport are all interested in me and I am interested in them as well,” Mast said. “I haven’t made a decision yet but I am looking to do so relatively soon.”

Mast started out as the baby of the team and followed everyone else’s orders. Now, he spent his final season leading the team captain. Mast knows the lessons he learned on and off the field during his time in the program will influence him for the rest of his life.

“Throughout my time, I grew not only as a player but as a person as well,” Mast said. “ I loved being a part of the program and I wish it could have lasted longer.”