Bowling Green State University Athletics
Findlay's Finest: Lauren Gerken & Her Local Roots
April 08, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Gavin Gil
Just 25 minutes down the road from Bowling Green, home has never been far away for Lauren Gerken—but neither has her motivation.
The sophomore forward for the BGSU women's basketball team isn't just playing for wins; she's playing in front of the same family, friends and community that shaped her love for the game in Findlay.
With Gerken living nearby, Bowling Green was always on her radar for her school of choice.
"It's right up the road, only 25 minutes; it's hard to pass up," said Gerken. "Having a lot of my younger siblings still in high school playing sports… I chose to go somewhere close so I could go back to watch them play."
Having an opportunity to play close to home carries significance for Gerken.
"My family is a big basketball family… seeing them in the stands whenever they're able to come to games is super important to me," said Gerken. "My grandparents and aunts and uncles come to a lot of games, so it's always great to see them."
Gerken's large basketball family includes an older brother named Joe, two younger brothers, Jake and Luke, and a younger sister named Megan. Jake is the closest in age to Gerken, and he currently plays for the University of Findlay.
"Jake and I are a little over a year apart, so we've had our fair share of competitions with each other one-on-one," said Gerken. "As we've grown up, we have realized that we are each other's biggest fans instead of competitors."
Of course, in typical older sibling fashion, Gerken wasn't afraid to poke fun at Jake.
"We'll go and work out together and do shooting competitions," said Gerken. "I'm still the better shooter."
As a Northwest Ohio native, Gerken represents a broader community than Bowling Green when she steps onto the court.
"My high school coaches come back and watch me, and people from my community have come to watch me play," said Gerken. "It's super special to have people that I've grown up with come to a lot of the games."
One member of BG's coaching staff is assistant coach John Nicolais. He spoke about what he's seen grow within Gerken's game.
"She's playing with more confidence, has gotten stronger, and her body handling has improved," said Nicolais. "She's able to play in big moments, and we can run plays for her at the end of the game."
Since arriving on campus, Gerken has also received support from her teammates and specifically highlighted Paige Kohler and Johnea Donahue as people who have helped her grow her game.
"I played AAU with Nae [Donahue] ever since we were sophomores in high school," said Gerken. "So I've always had her in my corner ever since we got here as freshmen, and I think she's helped me grow into a better player."
Gerken said that Kohler aided her in a different way on the court.
"Paige [Kohler] has helped me more on the mental side, in trying to overcome injuries and stuff like that," said Gerken.
Kohler also praised Gerken for making adjustments at the collegiate level.
"She has gotten out of her comfort zone a lot," said Kohler. "She's really pushed herself to become better, especially on the defense end."
When asked about her first impression and friendship with Gerken, Kohler spoke beamingly about her.
"We really clicked; I knew that we were going to be best friends right away," said Kohler. "She's just a great person, and she has energy and enthusiasm with everything she does."
Gerken has put in the work on the court, but like many athletes, she has a few superstitions.
"I braid her hair before the game, and she'll do bubble braids or two braids in her ponytail, and she will switch that up depending on how she feels," said Kohler. "She also likes to have a Rice Krispies treat."
Lastly, Gerken has postgraduate plans to help teach the next generation.
"I have a passion for teaching, and I want to eventually become a middle school math teacher," said Gerken. "With my leadership ability, I just want to help kids learn, and it's important to me."
Gerken's teaching has made a positive impression on a couple of young students.
"She [Gerken] is student teaching right now," said Nicolais. "My daughter has her class and thoroughly enjoys her."
Kohler added how much pride Gerken takes in her teaching and what impact she hopes to leave with students.
"The biggest thing is her being personable and not just caring about them as students and doing well in her class, but also as people and how they're doing outside of class," said Kohler.
For Gerken, staying close to home hasn't held her back—it's fueled her drive to make an impact both on the court and in the classroom.
