#NationalSigningDay2019: Goalkeeper Braden Weinel signs to Hood Blazers soccer
Braden Weinel poses with his family after officially signing to Hood College.
Braden Weinel has been a part of the varsity soccer team for two years and will be continuing his soccer career at Hood College. He signed his National Letter of Intent on November 13.
According to Weinel, he and Hood are a good fit. He likes the soccer coaches and soccer program: they have a good communications department, a beautiful campus, modern facilities, and helpful admissions counselors.
The coaches at Hood were a big draw for him. He has known the Assistant Coach Josh Gilmore since he was 10.
Weinel emailed Gilmore and asked him to watch him play at a college showcase. The two stayed in contact, and Gilmore came to more of Braden’s club games and high school games. Braden took a tour at Hood College and met Head Coach Kenny Putnam.
He has been playing the goalkeeper position since he was 7.
Braden’s older brother Nick Weinel was also an LHS goalkeeper. Braden looks up to Nick not only as an older brother but someone to help his game play.
Nick Weinel said, “Coaching Braden helped me to see what drives him. I know that after working with him for so long he wants to know the honest and brutal truth. Working with him has allowed me to understand how to push him. It’s help him learned he needs to keep pushing himself.”
“I learned a lot of skills from Nick. Having someone be able to criticize your play and give you tips really help your game play,” said Braden Weinel.
Josh Gilmore was the varsity soccer coach for Linganore when Nick played for the team.
Braden has been playing soccer for 12 years and his hard work ethic doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by his club coach Chris Spinks. Braden has been coached by Spinks for the last three years.
“Braden has been a strong member of 2002 FC Frederick team as the starting goalkeeper. His shot stopping, leadership, and communication helped lead our team to the State Cup final in 2018 and State Cup semifinals this past year,” said Spinks.
Braden is the editor of the school newspaper, Lancer Media, and he originated the futsal club.
After college Braden hopes to work in the communications field in radio, television or newspaper, while staying involved with Young Life.
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