By Hayden Swope
Andover Central’s Braeden Carlton took no time off to prepare for the 2025 season. The first team all-league forward has been training year-round, and hasn’t slowed down either.
“Preparation for the season started back when last season ended in October,” Carlton said. “We’ve been having training sessions either privately or as a group since then and summer really picked it up a notch. I’ve been having lifting sessions and private soccer training sessions all year in preparation for one last year of high school soccer.”
With lots of pressure on the team and the expectations, Carlton is happy to be spending it with the people he’s gotten to grow with.
“The thing I’m most excited about this season is spending one last season with me and my senior friends,” Carlton said. “We’ve spent four years together and this last one with all our experience is something I’m really looking forward to and have already had a lot of fun with.”
A cross-town rival is one Carlton is looking forward to taking on this year, as many familiar faces will take the field.
“Andover is the game I’m most excited about,” Carlton said. “Getting to play against club friends and just friends in general in a very competitive environment is something I cherish each year and considering both teams are looking good this year I think it will be a great game.”
While tough decisions were made, Carlton is excited to follow in some important footsteps.
“My future plans are to go to either Kansas State or Arkansas University and pursue business marketing like my dad,” Carlton said. “College soccer is definitely something I have had to battle with and make hard decisions about but I think it’s in my best interest to follow my career path despite how much I love soccer.”
