Lancers' Pedersen leads the league in versatility
There have definitely been better athletes at the College of Lake County than Clare Pedersen from Wauconda.
But when it comes to versatility, Pedersen takes a back seat to nobody.
Prior to this fall, Pedersen played two years of soccer, basketball and softball for CLC.
She had used up her eligibility in those sports, so naturally she decided to play volleyball this fall while she finished her course work.
Pedersen plans to graduate this spring and would like to continue playing soccer or volleyball at a four-year school while she pursues a major in elementary education.
When she graduated from Wauconda, Pedersen was looking for a school where the classes are small and there are plenty of sports teams.
CLC fit the bill on both counts.
"Going to a big school where I would be a number was not of any interest, and I've been a three-sport athlete my whole life," she said.
If Pedersen was forced to choose, she said her soccer experience was probably the highlight.
"I wouldn't trade my soccer experience for anything," she said.
Pedersen came off the bench in basketball and impressed coach Bill Braman with her character.
"It doesn't matter what's happening, she always has a positive attitude," Braman said. "She doesn't have an angry bone in her body. You can count on her giving everything at all times. Whether it's practice or a game, she comes to play."
Pedersen played soccer in the spring in high school, so she had not picked up a club in four years when softball coach Sue Garcia recruited her for the team.
"She asked me to play," Pedersen said. "She said it was like getting back on a horse."
Pedersen played four years of volleyball in high school, so she was only a little rusty at the start of practice this season.
Pedersen, a defensive specialist, recently returned to the lineup after missing three weeks with a thumb injury.
She impressed coach Rob Caliendo in much the same way she had with Braman.
"She brings class and integrity," he said. "She's a positive person all the time. There's not a bad thing you can say about her."
Pedersen said she is just a glass-is-half-full type of person.
"I always try to be there for the team and look at things in a positive manner," she said. "I've always been like that."
The spring semester will be interesting for Pedersen because it will be the first time in four years of high school and three years at CLC that she will be without a sport.
"I'm not going to know what to do with myself," she said. "I'll miss it so much that I'll probably go to a lot of sporting events."
Saturday showdown: Once again, it is CLC women's soccer vs. Elgin with the state title on the line when the Lancers travel to Elgin at noon Saturday. CLC is 0-2 against the Spartans this season.
CLC advanced to the championship match by beating Oakton 3-2 in overtime Tuesday.
Sophomore Melanie Rasor (Mundelein) converted the game-winner on a penalty kick. Freshman Lauren Cloonan (Grant) and freshman Ally Yarc (Libertyville) also tallied.
"We didn't communicate that well, but we pulled out a win," said Lancers coach Dawn Vickers. "That's all we cared about."