Taking Soccer by Storm and to a National Level
Lake of the Ozarks Native Aidan Bethurem, 9, turned heads on and off the soccer field this summer as he competed for Sports Illustrated’s Youth Athlete of the Year. The national contest, hosted by Colossal, highlights young athletes while raising funds for the Why Not You Foundation and the V Foundation in their respective missions to empower youth and to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives.
The winner receives a $25,000 prize, a feature in Sports Illustrated and a national platform to inspire others, something Aidan is already achieving.
Aidan, a standout on a competitive soccer team, raised more than $7,000 for the cause. If successful, he planned to donate the prize money to his local soccer club, to encourage more children to play soccer, and to Lake Regional Cancer Center, where his mom received treatment.
Bethurem, who competed against more than 250,000 youth nationwide, narrowly missed the final round of voting, which concluded Oct. 17.
Camdenton Legend Nick Bruck Inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
Nick Bruck, a Camdenton High School standout and longtime coach, was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday October 15th. As a Laker, Bruck earned Class 4 All-State honors twice, recorded more than 200 tackles, and helped lead the team to the 1999 state football championship. That same year, he claimed a state shot put title with a throw of 59 feet, 7 inches.
Bruck continued his football career at the University of Central Missouri and Westminster College, where he earned three first-team all-conference honors, was named Lineman of the Year in 2003, and captured Defensive Player of the Year and league MVP in 2004, later earning a spot in Westminster’s Sports Hall of Fame.
For the past two decades, Bruck has coached at Camdenton, serving 12 years as defensive coordinator and leading the track program to 14 district titles, four top-four state finishes, and two state championships.
A Proud Graduate of School of the Osage, Collin Chilton
A proud graduate of School of the Osage, Collin Chilton has continued to soar; quite literally, since leaving the halls of his hometown school. On July 28, he experienced his first flight in the Air Force’s T-6, a milestone often called the “dollar ride.” This introduction to military aviation marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter, filled with challenge and opportunity. Just one month later, on August 29, after completing 10 training flights, the Air Force entrusted him to take to the skies alone. That day, he successfully completed his first two solo flights, a defining achievement for any aspiring pilot. A fun tradition accompanied the moment: his flight suit displayed not his own name tape, but that of his instructor pilot, intentionally placed upside down with instructions to turn wings right side up during flight. With every mission, he embodies the spirit of determination instilled at School of the Osage, proudly carrying his roots into the skies.
Jacoby Curry: A Missouri Kid Turning His Visions, Into Reality
Jacoby Curry is carving out a career as one of Saint Louis’s most versatile young talents. A producer, actor, performer, and storyteller, he carries momentum that reflects both ambition and authenticity.
Raised in Saint Louis, Curry grew up a proud MIZZOU kid and spent summers at the Lake of the Ozarks. Family remains central to his outlook, which he describes as “family-first and faith-driven.”
Curry’s path to entertainment wasn’t straightforward. He began in software sales before realizing his true passion was on stage. That leap paid off—he became the youngest Saint Louis native to sell out The Saint Louis Funny Bone, later building a comedy tour that introduced his energetic style to audiences across the country.
Today, Curry is moving behind the camera. His debut feature, Boxed Purple Lions: Dawn of the Violet Flame, written and directed by Noah Jackson, marks his entry into film production. The project, described as part action-adventure and part spiritual thriller, aims to merge spectacle with substance. 
“To become free in this world, you must first free your mind,” Curry says, calling the film both entertaining and transformative.
His career has already taken him well beyond Missouri, with stand-up appearances in Spain, investor meetings in London, and producer sessions at the Cannes Film Festival. Wherever he goes, Curry brings a mix of charisma and conviction that has helped turn bold ideas into reality—and made him a name to watch.
Camdenton’s Kam Durnin Joins Mizzou Baseball After Record-Breaking Summer
Camdenton High School alumnus Kam Durnin is set to make an immediate impact for the University of Missouri baseball team after a record-breaking summer in the Appalachian League. A two-year starter at Wichita State, Durnin was named the 2025 Appalachian League Player of the Year after hitting .407—the league’s highest single-season average—and setting a record with 56 RBIs. Kingsport Axmen manager Rick Adair praised him, saying, “Kam had a great summer and was a huge part of our success… What separates Kam is his desire to improve and his leadership on and off the field.”
Now transferring to Mizzou, Durnin cited proximity to family and SEC competition as key factors: “It just made too much sense not to pick Missouri.” With his hitting power, defensive consistency, and leadership, Durnin is expected to become a cornerstone of the Tigers’ lineup as they aim to rebound in the SEC this season.
Lake of the Ozarks Wakesurfing Star Claims National Gold
Lake of the Ozarks continues to produce elite water sports talent, as 14-year-old Victoria Moroski of Gravois Mills makes waves on the national wakesurfing stage. A freshman in high school, Moroski has been wakesurfing for three years, but only began competing last year and her rapid rise has already turned heads.
Moroski recently clinched first place at the prestigious Nautique Nationals at Lake Tye in Monroe, Washington. She also took gold at the WWA Nationals in Seattle and currently holds the number one ranking in her division, Jr Women Skim 14-18, at the Wake United series. Her international success includes a top finish at the Masters Championship at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia, where she competed against athletes from around the world.
As an ambassador for MarineMax Lake Ozark, Moroski is not just riding waves, she’s conquering them. With a pro career on the horizon, the young athlete is poised to keep Lake of the Ozarks at the forefront of the wakesurfing world.
