Merced County football standout is ready to tackle Midwest lifestyle, new position
Hilmar High football coach Frank Marques describes senior Trace Van Guilder as a coach’s dream.
“Everything is yes sir and no sire with him,” Marques said. “He never questions anything. He’s going to fit in with any program.”
Van Guilder next program will be Friends University in Kansas after the Yellowjackets standout signed his national letter of intent on Friday in the school gym with family, coaches and friends present.
“I’m very excited,” Van Guilder said. “I’m really happy it’s happening. I’m excited to get it going.”
Van Guilder was a contributor on both sides of the ball for Hilmar. He led the Yellowjackets with 37 tackles and 4.5 sacks this spring as a defensive lineman. He was also a standout on the offensive line.
Van Guilder was an all-Central California Conference first-team selection at defensive line by the CCC coaches.
The Friends University coaching staff recruited the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Van Guilder as a fullback and he’s excited to try something new.
Van Guilder says the coaching staff liked the aggressiveness they saw on film from outside linebacker and the toughness he showed on the offensive line.
“I hope it works out but he’s a guy they can move and play somewhere,” Marques said. “I think he’s a good enough athlete that they can find a home for him.”
Van Guilder compiled a 3.6 GPA at Hilmar and plans to major in business with a minor in exercise science. His plan is to become a firefighter.
He’s looking forward to experiencing the Midwest lifestyle.
“Basically I’m looking forward to a new lifestyle, getting out of California,” Van Guilder said. “I’m going to live on my own and Kansas is the perfect place for me. The lifestyle reminds me of my hometown but cheaper. I like fishing and there are rivers and creeks for me. I like to work out and they have a weight room.”
Van Guilder really liked the campus when he visited Friends University in January.
“I loved the campus, it was very beautiful,” he said. “The coaching staff and the team were very welcoming.”
Marques says he’s happy to see Van Guilder’s hard work pay off.
“He works tirelessly,” Marques said. “Even during this COVID thing, he worked out at home on his own. He has a weight room at his house. Nothing was for sure that we were going to play this season but he still worked hard to get ready. He was like that all four years we had him.”
For Van Guilder, playing college football is a dream come true.
He had considered schools in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Oregon before deciding on Friends University.
“I feel very blessed that my hard work is paying off,” Van Guilder said. “Since about sixth grade my dream was to play college football.”
