1Excalibur Champions: Victoria Clark and the women's Varsity lacrosse team aim to continue the Excalibur winning culture
"We're all part of the family"
She took a moment to think of a response to the question: "What does it mean to represent the Trent Excalibur?" When she was ready to answer, Victoria Clark said that there was only one word that kept coming up. Family.
"Putting on the Trent Excalibur jersey, it means we're all part of the family."
As a member of the Trent Excalibur women's lacrosse team and a Peterborough-native, Victoria Clark describes her experience as more than just about sports. The Trent Excalibur women's lacrosse program has grown together and hopes that the momentum that they've built before the pandemic, continues into next season.
Heading into her fourth year with the Trent Excalibur, Ms. Clark reflects on how determined the team was during these last few years. Hoisting the Patterson Cup in 2019 as the OUA Champions, will be a memory that the whole team will remember for a long time, but for her the dedication to winning came the year before, when the women's squad earned the OUA bronze medal.
"In 2018, our goal was obviously gold. It was bittersweet because we still won a medal, but not the one we wanted, so going into 2019, we all had the mindset that we were going to win, and we were going to do whatever it took to win," reflects Ms. Clark. "We all felt that way and it was like a family atmosphere, all wanting the same goal, working hard every practice, every game. So being able to win, it was just the most amazing feeling, built off the last two years of dedication and hard work."
Being able to train in the fall before the OUA announced the cancellations of the 2020 season, the reigning OUA champions remained in focused, using the fall season as a development year and strengthened their goals together as a team. Motivating each other, staying in shape, the team is excited to return to the field this fall to show what they've been working on physically and mentally.
With veteran team members Leah Michel, Madison Campbell, and Sydney Venton graduating, Ms. Clark will enter the season as one of the more seasoned athletes. She'll be ready to take on more of a leadership role, but also stresses that the lacrosse team leads by committee.
"In our team, we all try to be leaders," Ms. Clark said. "We all motivate each other, doesn't matter if you're in first year or fourth year. For me personally, I'm really excited to have a chance to step up and be a leader, and hope the team really enjoys themselves because I'm a big believer in that if the team isn't having fun, then we won't have the drive to win."
Peterborough born and raised
Growing up in Peterborough, Ms. Clark and a group of her friends decided to give lacrosse a try. Since then, the midfielder hasn't looked back.
Transitioning from box lacrosse to field lacrosse at 16 years old and having the opportunity to continue her career with the Trent Excalibur, Ms. Clark says she wouldn't have it any other way.
"I've always loved representing my city," said Ms. Clark, who grew up in Otonabee, Ont,. "Being able to bring home gold, I'm really glad I stayed home and playing lacrosse at Trent University because even though for the teammates who aren't from Peterborough, this is their home now and being able to connect with them that way, we're all representing Peterborough."
With the hopes of being able to have a season in the fall, Ms. Clark is committed to continue to represent the Trent Excalibur and Peterborough along with the team because that's how this team, and family has come together. For her, the women's varsity lacrosse team is family.
"It doesn't matter what's going on during the day, when you're representing Trent, you put everything aside and that's the only thing that matters," Ms. Clark said, reflecting on her career so far.
"I keep going back to family because that's what it feels like. I've made such great connections with everyone on the team, it truly is a great opportunity and I'm honoured to represent the Trent Excalibur."
About 1Excalibur Champions
Together We Are All One Excalibur.
Trent Athletics and Recreation believe that together, we make up what it means to be a Trent Excalibur. Have a story or know of someone with a story that proudly represents what it means to be part of the #1Excalibur community? Whether if you are a student, athlete, community member, and/or staff involved in and around the Trent community, we want to hear from you. Email us at athleticmarketing@trentu.ca or reach out to us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook to nominate a person or story.