FOOTBALL
2020 Season
As a sophomore, during this shortened spring season due to COVID-19, he was a backup offensive lineman that starred mainly on the junior varsity.
2021 Season
As a junior, he took over the role as the starting left tackle, and he made an immediate impact. So many great left tackles over the years in the Lions program, and he was no exception.
After multiple close games to begin the season, in which Lynden went 3-1, the Lions began to click in October and never looked back. A huge part of that was the gelling of the offensive line. All underclassmen, Gatterman became an instant leader of the group, and Lynden went on to victory after victory and captured another Northwest Conference Championship.
Lynden breezed through Fife and Prosser in the first two rounds of the state playoffs, and had to come back against North Kitsap to win in the semifinals. In that game against the Vikings, it was a long-sustained drive that saw run after run pick up yardage, and it was players like Gatterman that made it all possible. Lynden wound up winning 15-10, and were back in the state championship game for the first time in three years.
The Lions defeated favored Tumwater in the championship game, 21-7, mostly behind the overpowering offensive line that was led by Gatterman.
For his efforts, Gatterman was named All-Conference 1st Team at offensive line, and he was also ranked #23 on the Whatcom Preps Top 100 list.
2022 Season
No team had a bigger target on its back than the 2022 Lynden Lions. They returned numerous starters on both side of the ball, including the entire offensive line, and Gatterman was back in his familiar role at left tackle.
Over the first five games of the season, the Lions were undefeated, averaged over five yards a carry, and had scored 13 rushing touchdowns. It was more of the same in week six at home against Archbishop Murphy, but halfway through the second quarter Gatterman suffered a broken collar bone and it was likely that he was going to be out for the remainder of the season.
Lynden rallied together, and continued to find ways to win, and won the Northwest Conference once again. Gatterman never complained, and was on the sideline at every game with his arm in a sling and rooting on his teammates, sometimes even coaching them on what to do against particular defenders.
As the Lions continued to win in the post season, it was becoming more and more possible that Gatterman had a sliver of a chance to play if they made it to December. It turned out to be a good news/bad news type of thing as Lynden was able to get back to the state championship game, but Gatterman still wasn’t cleared to play.
The Lions won their second state championship in a row, and the bittersweet feeling that Gatterman must have had on the sideline was noticeable, as he wished that he could be out there with his lifelong buddies, one last time, doing what they love.
Despite missing half of the season, Gatterman was still shown love by the NWC coaches, and he was named All-Conference 1st Team at offensive line for the second season in a row. He was also an All-State Honorable Mention selection. He was also named #50 on the Whatcom Preps Top 100 list.
Football Career
In games that Gatterman started, his team had a record of 18-1. His dominance, especially in the run game, helped the Lions change their game plan to focus on a power running game. Gatterman has accepted a scholarship offer to play college football at Eastern Washington University this fall.
TRACK AND FIELD
2021 Season
As a sophomore, he was one of many throwers on the Lynden track team, competing in mostly shot put and discus.
In his first meet of the season his discus throw of 94’7″ was good enough for third place, and ended up being one of his best throws of his career. In the same meet he also placed ninth in the shot put with a throw of 32 feet.
Three weeks later his discus throw of 96’4″ placed him at sixth place in the home meet which also saw Mount Vernon and Nooksack Valley. That distance proved to be his personal record. He also threw the shot 32’7″ which was his season record.
2022 Season
There wasn’t a ton of improvement in throwing distances in his junior season, but he was a little bit more consistent from meet to meet.
He surpassed 90 feet in the discus at three meets, including a season-high distance of 95’4″ halfway through the year.
Four days later he threw his personal best at the shot put with a distance of 36’8″.
Track and Field Career
Gatterman did not turn out for track as a senior, as he was still rehabbing his football injury, and getting ready to play football at the next level. It’s no doubt that track helped him with his explosiveness.
