Logan Keasling keeps coming back to the game of soccer. Impressive, when you consider the Free State High junior tore her ACL last August and had to play her entire sophomore season in a knee brace.

She was still in the brace at Tuesday morning’s College Showcase Camp at FSHS. The second annual camp helped Keasling, a midfielder/forward, improve her conditioning and footwork through various shooting drills.

Keasling, along with several players from FSHS and Lawrence High, received training from Kansas University soccer coach Mark Francis.

It’s not that often that high school soccer players receive training from a Division-I coach. In fact, Keasling said it only happened to her once before Tuesday.

Don’t think that just because these were high school players that Francis went easy on them. By no means was Francis chewing anyone out, but he stopped practice in the middle of a shooting drill. He was not satisfied with the players’ speed of play. He said this kind of effort would not be enough in the atmosphere of a game.

“We wanted to give them some exposure to different training sessions that we do with our college teams,” Francis said. “Most players when they practice don’t practice at game speed, so we have to get them to push themselves to play a little bit faster.”

Keasling seemed to move around the field in minimal pain. She said camps like these were important to gaining back her mental and physical strength.

Keasling tore her left ACL last August in a summer game, fighting for position with an opposing player. The two collided, and Keasling landed awkwardly, with her leg tucked under her body. She had to be carried off the field.

The injury forced Keasling to miss six months. Keasling said she’d be able to play without the brace as early as August. It restricted her from precise soccer movements on the field Tuesday.

“My range of motion is not as good as it would be without the brace,” Keasling said. “Sprinting is harder. Cutting the ball and side-to-side movements take more time.”

It’s evident that Keasling is ahead of schedule, at least physically. She said the camp didn’t make her tired, despite the 100-degree heat. Keasling’s rehabilitation program included leg and hamstring strengthening, balance tests and stretching. She’s also been lifting weights at the gym and playing in pickup games. Keasling plans on being 100 percent for the high school season next spring.

Keasling said she intended to play soccer in college. She’s currently considering Kansas University, Washburn University and McPherson College.

Another standout at Tuesday’s camp was Lawrence High senior Abby Vestal. This was evident after the first shooting drill, when Vestal set up for a shot on goal. She eyed the net once and boomed a kick toward the net.

“If I think about where I’m going to place it, it usually goes wide or high,” Vestal said. “Following through is the main thing, using not just my leg, but my entire body on the shot.”

You could hear the zip from the ball as it raced past the diving goalkeeper and into the net. Vestal scored twice in a row during the first shooting drill. Her shots had considerately more power than most other players at the camp.

Vestal said she wanted to play soccer in college at Kansas University. She’s also considering Washburn, Emporia State and Missouri State.

Several recruiters showed up to the camp from St. Mary’s Academy and College, Tabor College and Washburn on Tuesday. The camp will run through Friday at FSHS and include guests from Washburn, Baker and Emporia State.