Outlook

Ben Hertel was a big-time recruit for the JCCC coaching staff ... Tremendous shot stopper with a huge upside ... Very coachable and willing to put in the work to get better. 

Freshman Year 2024

Helped JCCC to a runner-up finishes in the Division II Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference, a runner-up finish in the Region 6 Tournament, a No. 8 ranking in the final NJCAA Division II Poll with an overall record of 14-4-0 … Selected All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Division II and All-Region 6 Division II second-team … Played in and started 10 matches, logging 900 minutes … Allowed 18 goals for a goals against average of 1.80 … Finished the season 7-3-0 with one shutout, 54 saves and a save percentage of .750 … Ranked second in in the conference for fewest goals allowed, tied for second in victories,  third in goals against average, fourth in saves,  save percentage and minutes … In his collegiate debut and JCCC season opener recorded a shutout in a 4-0 victory at Cape Fear saving all four shots he faced … For his effort was named the KJCCC Division II Goalkeeper of the Week for week one … Suffered a 4-2 loss to No. 1-ranked Iowa Lakes in the second outing (8-30-24) … Saved five shots to earn a 2-1 win at Central (9-7-24) … Followed with nine saves in a 5-1 victory over Allen (9-14-24) … Was the week 5 KJCCC Division II Goalkeeper of the Week after leading the Cavaliers to a 5-1 win at Hesston (9-18-24) and a 3-1 home victory over Pratt (9-21-24) … Saved seven of 10 shots faced in a 3-1 setback against No. 6 Neosho County (10-5-24) ...  Recorded a season-high 10 saves to help JCCC to a 4-3 victory at Allen (10-9-24) … Earned his final victory in an 8-1 win at Pratt (10-16-24) … Took a 3-1 loss to No. 5-ranked Neosho County in the Region 6 Championship, recording four saves.

High School

Attended Dakota Ridge High School, Denver, Colo. … Graduated 2024 … Played club soccer for Real Colorado Academy/MLS Next coached by Danny Bills … Helped the team to a MLS/Next Championship runner-up finish in 2023 … Earned one varsity letter in football … Helped the Eagles to a conference title in 2022.

Personal

Born Benjamin Hertel on March 18, 2006, in Aurora, Colo. …Nickname is Benny …  Son of Brannon Hertel and Mary Stankiewicz … Has four siblings … Major is undecided …  Also recruited by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs,  University of Memphis, University of South Florida and West Virginia University …Favorite foods are tacos, Indian food, cheeseburgers, bacon and breakfast burritos … Favorite fast food restaurant is Chipotle … Favorite restaurant is John Hollies … Favorite TV show is Blue Mountain State … Favorite movie is Jon Wick … Favorite sports movie is Pele … Favorite actress is Megan Markle … Favorite book is Curious George … Favorite music entertainer is A Tribe Called Quest … Favorite cartoon character is Chicken Joe … Favorite athletes are Tim Howard, Manuel Nuer and Babe Ruth … Favorite sports teams are the Colorado Rockies, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Chelsie FC … Best player he has played against is UCCS forward Eduardo Macias … Greatest sports moment was posting back-to-back complete game shutouts … Notable alumni from his school are former MLS soccer player Todd Dunivant and Major League Baseball pitcher Steven Wilson.