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.