Lauren Gerken, a sophomore forward for the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) women’s basketball team, said on Apr. 8 that playing near her hometown of Findlay has been both a source of motivation and support. Gerken emphasized the importance of being able to perform in front of family, friends, and her local community.
Gerken said that choosing Bowling Green was an easy decision because it allowed her to stay close to home and watch her younger siblings participate in sports. “It’s right up the road, only 25 minutes; it’s hard to pass up,” she said. “Having a lot of my younger siblings still in high school playing sports… I chose to go somewhere close so I could go back to watch them play.”
Family plays a significant role in Gerken’s life, with many relatives attending games and supporting her athletic journey. “My family is a big basketball family… seeing them in the stands whenever they’re able to come to games is super important to me,” she said.
Assistant coach John Nicolais commented on Gerken’s development as an athlete since joining BGSU. “She’s playing with more confidence, has gotten stronger, and her body handling has improved,” Nicolais said. He also noted that she can now be relied upon during crucial moments at the end of games.
Gerken credited teammates Paige Kohler and Johnea Donahue for helping her grow as a player since arriving at college. She mentioned working through injuries with Kohler’s support and developing strong friendships along the way. Kohler praised Gerken’s efforts: “She has gotten out of her comfort zone a lot… She’s really pushed herself to become better, especially on the defense end.”
Off the court, Gerken is focused on teaching as part of her postgraduate plans: “I have a passion for teaching, and I want to eventually become a middle school math teacher,” she said.
Nicolais added that his daughter enjoys having Gerken as a student teacher: “She [Gerken] is student teaching right now… My daughter has her class and thoroughly enjoys her.” Kohler highlighted how much pride Gerken takes in connecting with students beyond academics: “The biggest thing is her being personable… not just caring about them as students… but also as people.”
