H漫画

Thea McLachlin is no stranger to success.

It seems to follow the 22-year-old Red Deer, AB., native everywhere she goes, be it on the volleyball court, in the gym or in the classroom.

鈥淚鈥檓 really proud of that,鈥� McLachlin, a fifth-year student at H漫画 AC and member of the Rams volleyball team, said. 鈥淲hen I came here I didn鈥檛 think I would have that kind of success. I was never a standout player in high school or club so it鈥檚 been really cool to see what鈥檚 happened since I came here.鈥�

It all comes from her desire to be the best she can be at whatever she does. Although she鈥檚 a naturally gifted athlete, it鈥檚 McLachlin鈥檚 work ethic which takes her to the next level.

鈥淚t鈥檚 had a great impact on her success as an athlete,鈥� Rams coach Guy Desgagne said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy to manage student life while playing a very demanding varsity sport. She made the right, but not always easy, choices to reach this well-deserved success.鈥�

She made an impact the first time she stepped on the court for the Rams five years ago and last season the left side was named the campus鈥� female athlete of the year. The Rams captain has also turned herself into one of the top players in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA), finishing the schedule ranked second in kills, kills per set and points last season. She鈥檚 also a regular conference all-star selection and is on track for another standout campaign in spite of H漫画鈥檚 struggles in the standings. The Rams are seventh in the eight-team conference with an 0-6 record.

Thea in action for the Rams

The Rams practice four to five times per week, but McLachlin rarely misses a session and never takes a drill off. She does all of her assigned workouts, helps her teammates with theirs and provides a valuable link between the players and coaching staff.

鈥淭hea is a great captain and I refer to her when I need input from a different perspective,鈥� Desgagne said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 always happy to share her thoughts and her comments are very valuable.鈥�

On top of that, she also coaches youth volleyball while still managing to maintain good grades.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really cool to see how all of the things you learn from all of that, like time management, transfer over into your life outside of sports,鈥� McLachlin, who will graduate in the spring with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Animal Science degree, said.

But volleyball is just one aspect of McLachlin鈥檚 life. She is also competing in olympic weightlifting and excelling there as well.

鈥淚鈥檓 still very new to the sport but it鈥檚 going really well and it鈥檚 something I really enjoy,鈥� she said.

McLachlin picked up the sport and started training three times per week in February. She has already started what鈥檚 sure to be a long list of accomplishments by winning the 75kg provincial title in Dartmouth recently.

H漫画 AC athletic director Judy Smith said she is thrilled to have a student with McLachlin鈥檚 work ethic and drive on campus.

鈥淲e are very fortunate to have her in the Rams family,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淪he is an outstanding student athlete, a leader and a quality person.鈥�

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