Cressler, Gertner among Camden Alums who return as Coaches

Camden Hills athletic alumnae come back to coach

‘A lot of people put time and effort in while I was playing, now it’s my turn to teach what I know’
Wed, 10/29/2014 - 9:30pm

    Meg Cressler recalls discovering her love for basketball in second and third grade.

    “It was really fun and completely different from anything I had done,” she said.

    Cressler became more involved in the basketball scene, and achieved the rare feat of making the Camden-Rockport High School varsity team as a freshman. Cressler recalls a specific game that year where the team made it to the playoffs at the Bangor Auditorium. Although they lost there, she explained how this game in particular was a turning point in the way the team would play for the next three years.

    “You get the learning experience and see wow, this could be really fun,” she said. “Each year we got a little better, ended up winning the state championship my senior year.”

    With her career as a player now behind her, Cressler will be starting her first season as varsity coach at her alma mater. Cressler is one of many alumni of Camden Hills Regional High School who have returned to the school to coach.   

    Cressler has used her own success as an athlete in her coaching techniques. She played basketball for University of Southern Maine for four years, one of the top Division III Women’s Basketball programs in the country. Although battling a knee injury, torn ACL and torn MCL during her college career, Cressler was glad she continued to play.

    “I wish things had worked out a little differently injury-wise,” said Cressler. “College was a couple ankle issues, heart condition, knee... it was difficult to overcome at some points, but I’m glad I stuck it out.”

    After college, Cressler knew coaching was the next step to take.

    “Basketball has always come pretty natural to me, I played got comfortable, and realize I should be teaching this.” 

    She returned to Midcoast Maine following college, bringing her persevering mentality back to the court, this time as a coach. After coaching Lincolnville Central School for two years, followed by three years as varsity coach at Belfast High School, Cressler spent time shadowing her former high school coach, Jay Carlsen, for his last season coaching. 

    “I decided I might as well assist him that final year to have the hands-on experience and freshen things up.” 

    When Cressler saw the job opening in Camden, she jumped at the opportunity.

    “It was a pretty unique situation that fell into place, it was kind of unexpected,” said Cressler. “It’s nice to be so warmly welcomed, just to be able to come back to the school where you were so successful and were a part of something amazing. Hopefully, that translates into the group that’s there now and we can just build on that.”

    Camden Hills Regional High School has many athletic talents that have decided to coach at their high school. Current coaches include Sara Cole for swim team, Lindsey Clement for Varsity Girls Field Hockey, True Bragg for Junior Varsity Wrestling, and Amy Gertner for Varsity Girls Lacrosse just to name a few. Even Camden Hills Athletic Director, Steve Alex, is a Camden-Rockport High School alum.

    Gertner played a role in bringing lacrosse to the high school as a student. This year marks her third season as the Varsity Girls Lacrosse coach.

    “I fell in love with it as soon as I started playing,” said Gertner, who is now also the librarian at Hope Elementary School, where she also attended.

    Gertner explained how lacrosse was a club sport her sophomore year of high school. After Gertner and fellow teammates approached the school board for varsity booster support, it became a varsity sport her senior year. 

    Most notably, Gertner continued to play in college, starting a lacrosse club team at University of Maine at Farmington, which now has varsity sport status.

    Gertner wants to see lacrosse grow in the community she grew up in.

    “My first year coaching I had 11 seniors, so it was a dream job,” she said. “The girls were really experienced and motivated. Having that as the entry way was helpful.” 

    Gertner stressed the importance of keeping the sport strong and making sure youth teams are supported. She hopes that her team will continue making the play offs as they have in the past, and will strive to be competitive with the strong squads in Southern Maine.

    Both Cressler and Gertner noted the impact they feel they have coaching for their high school, and how it brings the community together. 

    “It’s a cool place to be a coach,” said Gertner. “Whether or not we’ve gone away and come back, it says a lot about your hometown if you come back.”

     Knowing of some of the athletes before they reach high school provides a significant advantage for the coaches, as well.

    “You have to have the kids when they go into high school all the way through to change the mentality of the sport,” said Cressler. “It’s little bit easier, because a lot of people know where they’re coming from. You know a lot more when you look at how to motivate an athlete, that all plays into it.” 

    Both coaches are looking forward to teaching based on their athletic experience.

    “If you’re not going to be able to play anymore, it is kind of the next step,” said Cressler. “A lot of people put time and effort in while I was playing, now it’s my turn to teach what I know. Plus it’s fun getting sucked into the game.”