Lacrosse club president travels, drives team van

Senior Claire Hemingway has played on the women’s lacrosse team for the past four years and serves as the captain and president this year.

Monique Moreno: Where are you from?

Claire Hemingway: I’m from Dripping Springs. It’s not too far from Austin.

MM: How long have you been playing and what got you started?

CH: I started my freshman year. I have played soccer since I was five and after several injuries to my ACL, I had to switch sports. My sister, who went to St. Edward’s, had a friend who actually started the team. She was the one who made me come out to a practice and try it out.

MM: So it was pretty random?

CH: Absolutely. I didn’t hear about it through an activity fair or anything. My sister’s best friend just dragged me into it and I’ve stuck around ever since.

MM: What was so appealing about it? What made you stick with it after that first year?

CH: I really enjoyed playing a team sport again and the girls that were on the team were really fun. I made fast friends with them and am still friends with most of those girls. Plus, it is a fun sport.

MM: What position do you play?

CH: I started on offense. It’s usually where new players start just so they are not thrown into defense.

When I got a little more experience, I moved into the midfield. This season it looks like I am going to spend most of my time back in the defense.

MM: How did you become president and captain?

CH: I have invested a lot of time and effort in the team. My level of commitment to the team has just naturally moved me into this position.

MM: Does the team do any bonding or rituals before games?

CH: We usually have dinner as a team the night before the games if we can schedule it in.

MM: Do you have any rituals you stick to?

CH: I haven’t cleaned my mouth guard in over a year. I don’t know if that is superstitious or just really gross.

MM: What has been your favorite part of being a student-athlete on campus?

CH: Even though it is just a club sport it is cool to represent St. Edward’s and play against other universities. I also have met some of my best friends through the organization. I actually just got done backpacking through Central America with one of the girls that I have played with since freshman year.

MM: What’s been your fondest moment from being on the team?

CH: I remember my first game I just got into the sport right as the season was starting. I was literally sitting in the van on the way to the game Googling the rules to lacrosse. Now I am the one driving the van and helping the freshmen to learn the rules.

MM: What is your favorite TV show?

CH: I really like The Big Bang Theory.

MM: What’s your favorite class you’ve taken at the university so far?

CH: Cell Biology. Hands down.

MM: Favorite childhood memory?

CH: Probably a family vacation that I took to New Mexico when I was about 8.

MM: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with your millions?

CH: Travel. Probably buy a plane ticket to Peru or Equatorial Guinea.