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The mark of a true champion is someone who can overcome adversity, regroup and come back better, stronger and faster. That is the perfect description of former Cerritos College women's soccer player Lauren (Nanez) Gama. As a freshman for the Falcons in 2011, she and her team were ranked #1 in the country and undefeated through their first 20 games. However, they dropped their final regular season game and then were upset in the first round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs by Orange Coast College, both by scores of 1-0.

What does Gama do? She trains harder in the off-season and helps lead the Falcons to their third CCCAA State Championship in six years and topped it off by being named the nation's Player of the Year. In both seasons, she led Cerritos in scoring and concluded her career with 38 goals and 34 assists for 110 points in 45 games. As a freshman, Gama was named the South Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year and 1st Team All-SCC. She led the team in goals (21), assists (16) and points (58) on the year and was one helper shy of tying the school's freshman assist record. Her 21 goals that year were tied for the fourth most in a season in school history at the time.

She followed that up by being voted the South Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second season in a row. While helping lead the Falcons to the National Championship, Gama earned the tournament's Most Valuable Player (pictured, left receiving the award) ands finished the season with a team-leading 17 goals and 18 assists on the year.

That success earned her a scholarship to Concordia University, where she was a two-time NAIA All-American and 1st Team All-Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) selection. As a junior, she and the Eagles were unbeaten until the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Championship Tournament, where they suffered a 1-0 loss to Lindsey Wilson (KY) College. In that season, Gama posted eight goals with six assists and then concluded her playing career with more post-season accolades after accounting for six goals and three assists. The Eagles qualified for the NAIA Tournament, and after an opening round win, suffered a 1-0 loss to Cumberland (TN) College.

In her four years of college soccer, Gama and her teams compiled a 71-13-6 record, with six of those losses being by 1-0 scores.

In a strange twist of fate, just several years after the conclusion of her collegiate playing career, and opportunity came about for Gama to serve as an assistant coach. Where? None other than Orange Coast College, the school then ended her freshman season and possibly served as motivation for the remainder of her collegiate playing career.

Below is a Q&A with Gama:

After a very successful high school career, what made you decide to come to Cerritos College? Where you being recruited by any four-year schools?
In my freshman year of high school, I failed a few classes which led to me trying to catch up and bring my GPA up my senior year. I didn't end up getting past a 2.8 every semester. School was rather difficult for me, it always has been. Along with trying to play catch-up with my grades, I was burnt out on the sport and all that came with it. So when it came time after high school to take the year off, I decided it was best to just strictly focus on school. As time went on, I realized my soccer career was not over and I wanted to get back into it. I reached out to a few community colleges and (Cerritos head coach) Ruben (Gonzalez) called me immediately that day, He told me to come out. I was on the fence about it, thinking I wanted to go to Cypress College instead. But Ruben reassured me that I would enjoy his program and to give it a chance. Something about Cerritos, not sure, but my gut kept telling me go for it.

What was your assessment of Cerritos, both as a soccer program and academic school, when you got on campus?
When I got on campus, I enjoyed the atmosphere of everybody walking around, sitting on the grass, and people coming together enjoying their meals in the cafeteria. It was a bit overwhelming at first since it is a big campus and I was coming from a small high school. What immediately caught my attention was the soccer field. It was big and wide and I loved it. For the program, right from the beginning I knew it was business. Ruben on Day One set clear rules and standards for every player. I knew it was exactly what I needed, structure. There were many coaches there that kept us all together and in line. They held us accountable and were able to learn responsibility that way.

In your freshman season, the team had high expectations of winning a state and possibly a national championship. But a first round playoff upset loss to Orange Coast College put an end to that. What were you thinking after that game ended?
We were upset. I think in that moment, it was disbelief and I remember thinking, what just happened? Did we really just lose? My teammate and friend Chelsea (Villegas) and I went to dinner after with our parents and they were even shocked. I told myself don't forget this feeling because next year I will not let it happen.

At the start of your sophomore season, what was the focus of both you and the team?
The focus was to be better than the year before. We had a great year but we were individuals, only cared about ourselves not as the whole. We needed to be bonded as one. We did more things together outside of soccer and competed way more at practice. We never settled. The goal was to always make it to the end, doesn't matter if we went undefeated or not. Make it to the finals, so when the time came, it was such a surreal moment.

That sophomore season saw your team win the conference, state and national championship. How much validation did you and your teammates have after the win over Santiago Canyon?
Everybody projected Santiago to win because they were a powerhouse team on paper. They were undefeated and made it to the finals every year for the past four years. When it came into the second half, the nerves calmed down and we just played. We had players coming off the bench making big-time plays and we had other players that were doing their jobs throughout the entire game. When the first goal went in, a whole new gear kicked in and then the second goal went in. That is when you look around and say, "oh my gosh, we are really doing this. We got this!" And once the final whistle blew, we all screamed and jumped around (pictured, right). Santiago was and is a great program, so knowing you beat a strong program, you know you have a special team. (Above is the 2012 state and national championship team)

Your sophomore year also ended with you being named the National Player of the Year. What were your thoughts, both after you found out and then as you were walking to the stage to receive your award?
When I received the award, I thought I can't believe I almost stopped playing soccer two years ago. Look how far I have come with the help of this coaching staff and my teammates. I couldn't believe I was receiving that award. There were many strong players to choose from and it was an honor to receive such an award. My dad told me before playoffs that I could be receiving that award and I laughed and said, "Okay, dad". And so when I walked up and received that award, I looked back at my dad smiling and he just smiled back. It was a special moment between a daughter and her father.

You signed with Concordia College after two seasons with the Falcons. What was it about Concordia that helped you decide to transfer there? Where you considering any other schools that were recruiting you?
I picked Concordia because I knew (Coach) Chris Gould from Irvine Strikers, a club I played for and they offered me a full ride. My brother also attended and played there, as well. I thought I have two years left of soccer left why not enjoy them at a small university where my parents don't have to worry about my college funds. I was considering Loyola Marymount University, Cal State Northridge and UC Riverside, along with a few other Division I schools. But I knew with two years left I wanted to enjoy my final years of soccer.

How did attending Cerritos College prepare you for the next level, both athletically and academically?
Attending Cerritos prepared me academically and that I was in charge of myself. Nobody was going to care if I did my work or not. Teachers in high school were able to reach out to you and keep you accountable. While in college, you don't do an assignment, they don't care. Athletically, I was, what I would say, "well-oiled machine". I had structure, I was accountable of my actions, I knew to be early and show up every time. Ruben taught us that with his strict schedule and standards he had for us.

In both of your seasons at Concordia, you were an All-American and All-GSAC selection. Describe your experiences playing at that level and what is was like to be acknowledged for your performances?
That level was great for me. I enjoyed every moment at Concordia and every game had its challenges and triumphs. I really loved playing for that program and the girls in the program. I enjoyed playing in different states and playing close to home so my family was able to watch me in my final years (pictured, left with her parents). It was great to be noticed for my performances. I set goals for myself every season and those were the ones I had set for myself. Once I left Cerritos, I had gained a whole new confidence in myself on the field which made me proud of the player I had become. Also, with the coaching staff and players in the program, I knew I would be able to help me achieve those goals.

Did you have the opportunity to play any international soccer? If so, where and when?
I did not. I was done after college and I enjoyed playing indoor once to twice a week. At times people asked me to play in charity events, adult tournaments, and indoor so I was able to play for a few more years non-competitively.

What did you end up earning your degree in?
I earned my Bachelor's in Liberal Arts and my Masters' degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration, both at Concordia University.

Your Cerritos bio says that you aspired to be either a comedian or host your own show someday? Did you ever follow through and do any stand-up?
I did that as a joke with my dear friend Chelsea Villegas. I definitely did not want to be a comedian. I put it because I thought I was funny and I didn't really know what I wanted to do in the future yet.

You're now an assistant coach at Orange Coast College, the school that ended your freshman season prematurely. Has anyone at the school brought up that game since you've been there? If so, what has been your response?
Oh absolutely. Head coach Kevin Smith and assistant coach Glenn Strachan love to bring it up. They were both there for that game and they will bring it up once or twice during our season to our players to say, "anything can happen", since we were the number 1 seed and they were the number 16. They love to joke about it because it still makes me mad, that game! But it is all fun, no hard feelings. I just tell them you're welcome for extending your season for one more game.

What made you decide to get into coaching and how did the Orange Coast job come about?
I decided to get into coaching my freshman year at Cerritos. I began working with a club team being an assistant coach, helping out the coach from time to time. I really enjoyed it and thought this might be my career path after all. I couldn't see myself working in an office or working a typical 9-5 job. The Orange Coast job came to me from a previous assistant coach, Makenna Henry. We grew up playing club together and I ran into her when we both started working for Pateadores Youth Soccer club. She told me they were looking for an assistant and the rest is history.

Tell me how you met your husband and how long you've been married?
My husband Max and I have been married a little over a year but we have been together for a total of 11 years; since high school. We currently just welcomed a baby boy, Cruz, in October. We are now a family of three, plus two dogs. We live in the same city we both grew up in and met.

Aside from coaching, what else are you doing? What do you do in your spare time?
I do a lot of gardening, DIY projects and spend a lot of my time with my family. Gardening brings me joy and I love doing all the hard labor. I do DIY projects with either my grandpa or dad. We get enjoyment out of building things instead of purchasing them. I enjoy doing things around the house if we need it. My family lives down the street from me so in my spare time, I will go have dinner, spend my Sunday's with them, and other family stuff. Family is everything to me. 

Where would you like to see your coaching career take you? Is this something you hope to make as a permanent career?
I hope to be the head coach either at a community college or high school and be the athletic administrator when working at a high school. I thought about working at a university, but the community college system has given me so much already, I'd enjoy working for this level. I am a product of this level and I know the ins and outs. Community colleges have a lot to offer and I know that first hand. So hopefully a head coach somewhere and be known as a coach who not only cared for their athletes on the field, but off, academically and personally. I want my kids to succeed and when they come through my program. They will know we are right there every step of the way for them.