Gortner leads Saints soccer squad

Interlake senior forward will play collegiate soccer in Los Angeles.

By Shaun Scott • April 5, 2018 1:41 pm
Shaun Scott, staff photo Interlake Saints senior forward Owen Gortner will continue his soccer career at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in 2019.
Shaun Scott, staff photo Interlake Saints senior forward Owen Gortner will continue his soccer career at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in 2019.

Two years ago, Interlake Saints boys soccer player Owen Gortner reached the pinnacle of the world of high school sports.

Gortner was a sophomore on the Interake Saints 2016 team that captured the Class 3A state championship. Gortner, who was one of the few sophomores on the varsity team that season, wants the 2018 Saints to take home the Class 3A state title in May in Puyallup.

“It was awesome. I had never experienced anything like that before,” Gortner said of the championship. “I want all of these guys to experience the same thing. That is our goal this year. We have a lot to live up to. We all want to win and we expect to win. It will be tough this year because KingCo (Conference) is good. We just want to win games like we have in the past.”

Gortner, who has committed to the Loyola Marymount University men’s soccer program, will leave for Los Angeles in July for informal team workouts with members of his new college team.

“I visited a few times last summer. I was born in LA (Los Angeles) and I wanted to go to school in California. I loved the school and the coaches. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

Recently the Bellevue Reporter had an opportunity to ask Gortner a few questions about his life away from the soccer field.

Bellevue Reporter: What is your favorite restaurant in Bellevue?

Owen Gortner: The Olive Garden. That is just the spot my family and I have gone forever.

BR: What kind of music are you listening to the most in your car right now?

OG: Country music. I like Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean.

BR: Who was your idol growing up?

OG: My favorite soccer player growing up was David Beckham. He might be my biggest idol, I guess.

BR: What is something unique about you that nobody would know?

OG: I got an old truck (1977 Ford F-250) this summer and I just love fixing that up whenever I get a chance. Especially when it is really sunny outside.

BR: How many text messages do you send per day?

OG: I probably send a few hundred or more.

BR: What was the last movie you saw in the theater?

OG: I saw “Black Panther” twice. It was pretty good.