Five years ago, Coach Joshua Diehl embarked on a new journey: to build up the boys soccer program at Olentangy Berlin High School from scratch. 

   Diehl was offered the opportunity to come and start the soccer program at OBHS for its inaugural season. For Diehl,  it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. 

   “To work under people [Mr. Betz and Mr. Spinner] like them is a huge blessing,” Diehl said. 

   Diehl felt it was a huge honor to be offered the job.

   “To build something from scratch is a huge honor,” Diehl said. 

   In its first five years, the program has certainly excelled. Now, almost every year Berlin competes for the Ohio Capital Conference and district titles. 

   Diehl loves and enjoys everything about his job, especially the culture, positivity, and school spirit that is at Berlin. 

   “I’ve really enjoyed being able to learn new things and meet new people,” Diehl said.

   The relationships he has made with his players and students are his proudest accomplishment. 

   “I’ve seen them progress and mature from freshman to seniors,” Diehl said. 

   For Diehl, a big part of what allows them to progress and mature is how soccer helps teach players life skills and lessons like teamwork, offers the ability to learn new roles or jobs, and gives players opportunities for service and leadership. 

   “And learning to respond to wins and losses just like in life,” Diehl said.

   Another thing that Diehl has been opened up to here at Berlin is the ability to build relationships with his players and students.

  “To be able to share a common goal and work towards it, I think builds trust and makes the experience more enjoyable,” Diehl said. 

   Diehl has certainly had many enjoyable moments and memories at Berlin and some stand out more than others.

   “[One of my favorite moments is] winning districts in 2020 and seeing the group work so hard for something and achieving it,”  Diehl said.  

   Diehl hopes to continue to build up the soccer program over the next few years and is excited to watch this year’s team compete in the playoffs and conference title. 

   “We want to compete and win a conference title in the OCC along with the district title,” Diehl said. 

   With many goals already achieved and many memories made, Diehl continues to look forward to the future of the program and the journey ahead.