LEWISTON — Soccer has been a longstanding aspect of Josiah’s Krul’s entire life, and he will be the first to admit as much. 

“I was very much born into the sport,” he said an interview for the PenBayPilot.com series of Midcoast collegiate athletes who talk about their experiences and provide advice to current Midcoast high school student-athletes. 

Krul was a key contributor on the Camden Hills boys soccer program and is now continuing his time as a soccer player at Bates College in Lewiston, where he is a sophomore midfielder. 

The 2016 Camden Hills graudate credits his parents, who were soccer players at Franklin Pierce University, as the reason for him developing a passion for the sport. 

“My father was a soccer coach ever since my first step and through his support and encouragement, I developed into the player I am today.”

In fact, Krul cannot escape his love of soccer, even in his downtime. Krul noted his favorite downtime activity is going to the PITCH at night and kicking a soccer ball around while music blasts through the facility’s speakers. 

Krul’s downtime is also filled with watching television with his family and spending time outdoors in the Midcoast. 

“I love going to the park to read by the ocean or to go for a walk to the top of a blueberry hill for a sunset,” he stated. “I really think Midcoast Maine is one of the most beautiful places in the world with its ocean views and rolling hills, so I love being able to explore as much as I can.”

At Bates, Krul is majoring in digital and computational studies while also pursing a minor in computer science.

“In the classroom I always strive to do my best,” the 5-foot-11 Krul said about his academic goals. I wanted to continue my soccer career at a school that would push me both academically and athletically. When I visited Bates and watched the team play, I had a great feeling that I would have both. Those factors mixed with the opportunity to stay in Maine made for a nice fit for me.”

Though his post-college plans are in early development Krul is confident his career path will involve his loves — working with people, business and technology. 

“I would like to try some internships in the next few years to figure out what a perfect fit for me might look like, but I would love to try out a new city and see how I adapt,” he noted.

In the future, Krul notes he would love to travel to Australia, preferably for the Australian Open, and visit Cairns, too. 

Krul also stated he is proud to be at Bates, a school he knows is preparing him for his life calling. 

“I am very motivated by the idea of self actualization for both myself personally and for others around me,” Krul stated. “I am passionate to search for my God-intended purpose in life so I can impact my community and generation with the gifts I’ve been given.” 

On the field, Krul noted he is prepared to, “do whatever is needed to positively impact the program.”

“I’ve grown to love my brothers at Bates like family and I want to make sure I’m doing my part to make sure that we’re ready both mentally and physically for battle every game,” he said.

During his freshman season at Bates, Krul appeared in seven contests and recorded one shot on goal in a Sept. 16, 2017 contest at Newbury College. 

Going back to his high school days, Krul says his favorite sports-related memory comes from his days as a Windjammer during boys soccer team’s 2016 playoff run that saw them knock off Lewiston in the regional quarterfinals and upset top-seed Edward Little 2-1 in overtime during the regional semifinals. 

“We had a large senior class that year and to see everything left on the field was a great sendoff to college for us all,” Krul said. 

Asked to provide advice for current Midcoast high school students hoping to play collegiate athletics, Krul noted student-athletes should “always try to be the best version of yourself.”

“Prioritize what’s most important to you and actively pursue actions that will help get you there,” Krul continued. “If your goal is to be a collegiate athlete, then be disciplined and put some hard work in and make good decisions off the field in line with your goals.”

Krul’s favorite quote is from Albert Einstein: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” 

Reach George Harvey and the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.