Luke Gerne, a brilliant midfielder on the lacrosse team, announced his commitment to Oberlin College on July 15 via Instagram.
Gerne will join Oberlin’s Division III lacrosse program that competes in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). Last season, Oberlin finished with a 10-6 record led by head coach Ryan Polak.
Gerne started playing lacrosse in second grade, along with baseball, however once he moved to Westfield in sixth grade, he knew lacrosse was “a better fit.” He stuck with the sport and honed his skills during the off-season by running winter track.
WHS head coach William Wertheimer had a unique relationship with Gerne and the class of 2025 because he coached them during their eighth-grade year. “There was a big gap and then I started seeing them [their] junior year and they just grew as young men and athletes,” Wertheimer said.
As Gerne climbed through the program in high school, Wertheimer explained that Gerne is a “hustler” and is “committed to the program through and through. [He] shows up everyday to practice and when [he] gets on the field [he] gives 110 percent and that’s all you can ask for as a coach.”
Oberlin College, located in Oberlin OH, was founded in 1833 and is the oldest co-ed liberal arts college in the nation. Academics were a big factor for Gerne’s decision.
Gerne did consider other schools in his recruiting process: “I went on other visits, but I didn’t really enjoy the schools as much as Oberlin,” Gerne said. After talking with multiple programs, Oberlin was the obvious choice. Their welcoming coaching staff and team environment, accompanied by incredible academics contributed to everything Gerne hopes to achieve over the next four years as a Biology or Pre-Med major.
On the field, Gerne will offer his many talents to the Squirrels. “He has great open field speed and good vision coming down [the field] when…running a break or… a high play and a dodge down the wing. His speed will probably be one of the great things to contribute to [the Oberlin] program,” Wertheimer said.
Other than the sport itself, Gerne is most excited about “meeting the other players.” His future teammates consist of a plethora of New Jersey residents and “kids from out west.”
Before becoming a Squirrel, Gerne will get one last season as a Blue Devil to leave his mark.
