Coach Hamlin wins his 500th game for Bethel

By Natalie Sonnanstine

The Bethel boys soccer team began their season with a phenomenal 4-1 win over Graham on August 17th. Mamatov scored the first goal for Bethel with an assist from Norris, and Rincon scored the other three goals with assists from Sprague, Mamadaliyev, and Mason. The soccer team is led this year by their coaches Bob Hamlin and Casey Denlinger, along with team captains Logan Norris and Reed Dix. This was the soccer team's second win of the season. They also played Urbana on August 15th, ending with a 4-1 victory.

Not only did the boys play an amazing game, but Coach Bob Hamlin officially achieved his 500th career win! Surrounded by his friends, family, and team, he celebrated this remarkable achievement, which made him the third winningest high school boys soccer coach in Ohio. Hamlin's leadership, commitment, and heart for the sport have helped lead the boys through wins for decades. Hamlin won his very first district championship in 1995 during a game with “sleet blowing horizontally during the second half of the game.” In 2002, he led the Bethel team to win a game against the second-ranked school in Ohio, Springfield Catholic, “to advance to the district final, and ultimately made it to the Regional Finals.” His dedication to the sport helps make him a phenomenal coach and role model to the young athletes. Despite having an abundance of freshmen and sophomores in the program this year, Hamlin says that the “players are pretty sound” and they just have to “match the physicality and speed of the teams they will be playing.” Hamlin’s belief and pride in the Bethel team over his many years has contributed to the success of many young athletes. He holds these young men in high regard, and he is proudest to see them be good teammates on and off the field. Hamlin says that whether the athlete is “coming off the bench when called upon to provide a lift, or supporting your teammates from the bench,” he is happiest to see the boys sharing the same love of the sport with each other, as he does with the program.

Hamlin started the soccer program at Bethel in 1984, with the first team co-ed, and it has since grown into an amazing sport for everyone. His advice for young athletes is to “control what they can control and share in the moments that have been created.” This advice that he gives to the Bethel boys helps shape them into committed athletes and incredible teammates.

We congratulate Coach Hamlin on this wonderful milestone he has reached and thank him for all he has done for the Bethel program. Wishing the best upon the Bethel Boys soccer team for this season, and congratulations on a game well played.