1 ON 1 CONVERSATION: UMO's Claire Wigler

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 25, 2016 1:48 PM

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University of Mount Olive senior Claire Wigler picked up a lacrosse stick when she was three years old. After Wigler's parents signed her up to play in the Eastwood Little League little did she know how much she'd grow to love the sport.

The News-Argus conducted a Q&A session with Wigler, who ranks No. 1 nationally in total points (58 points) and No. 2 in goals scored (38) among NCAA Division II players this season. Both statistics are No. 1 among individuals in Conference Carolinas play.

Q: How did you find out about University of Mount Olive?

A: The assistant coach Theresa Walton is from Syracuse and she played for my old coach, Tom McDonald. They had a connection. I went to a JUCO - Onondaga Community College. She got in contact with him. I had never heard of Mount Olive.

Q: Coming in as a JUCO transfer, what was last year like for you?

A: I think I was more laid back, tried to see how everyone played. Then I wanted to see what I could do to help the team. I think choosing this school was definitely one of the best decisions that I've made.

Q: Last year, you helped UMO win the conference championship for the first time in school history. How would you describe the season?

A: I think that we worked extremely hard. Only being a third-year program, we were always the underdog. So I think being the underdog, we didn't have anything to lose. I think that we put it on our backs and we did it.

Q: Did you feel like you could mesh with the offense last year?

A: I knew I would mesh, but I didn't think I was going to have such a successful year like I did. I know I was nervous coming in. I didn't know if I was going to play. I didn't know how it was going to be. Our offense had great chemistry.

Q: What did you guys say, as a team, what you wanted to do this year?

A: I think the big picture is we want to make it to Denver where the NCAA (Division II championship) is going to be held, but we also are just focusing on each game. We don't want to overlook any team. We had an upset where we lost to Bentley. I think now we're focused on winning the conference championship again and not overlooking any other team.

Q: You are having a good year offensively. What is working well for you on the field?

A: I think our chemistry is just amazing, we all work for each other. Off ball, we're making sure our defenders are staying focused and I think the plays coach (Grant Kelam) has set for us are really working. Each day I just out ready and think there is nothing that I can't do.

Q: Obviously, you are a focal part of the offense. Do you find yourself facing double teams, dealing with defenders trying to keep you away from the goal and preventing you from getting the ball?

A: Oh, for sure. I've been face-guarded in two games already, which I still managed to score. Each game I know there is a chance I could be locked off, double-teamed, triple-teamed. I know they're out to look for me. I just go out and give it my all.

Q: Isn't that kind of misleading for opposing teams because there are other teammates who can put the ball in the net?

A: Oh, for sure. I know Riann has been face-guarded as well. Even if we are face-guarded, we have a whole offense that's a threat, and that's a really good thing for us to have.

Q: How do you describe the team's chemistry?

A: Last year, there were so many freshmen coming in and transfers, I think that we were kind of timid. We didn't know what each other was going to do. We weren't sure how they played. I think this year, having a whole year under our belt, has really worked for us. We know our personnel.

Q: What's it like for you to have been part of this program for two years?

A: I think it's been incredible, glad to be part of a conference championship for a third-year program. I'm just very happy that I came here.

Q: What is the one thing that you like the most about this sport?

A: I think just the competition, being able to compete against other teams and I get a high off of it. Being able to go out there, where a jersey and play with my friends is the best part about it.

Q: What is the biggest challenge of this game?

A: Not knowing anything about your opponents. When I came down here last year, I didn't know anything about any of the teams. Each game that I stepped on the field, it was 'how do they play, how is their defense, how is their offense, what are they going to do, are they going to shut me down?' So, I think just not knowing (what to expect).

Q: When did you decide that you wanted to play lacrosse?

A: I knew all through high school that I was better in lacrosse. There wasn't a practice where I didn't want to be there. As basketball and soccer, it was like 'I really don't want to practice today.' I knew from day one that I loved lacrosse. Every chance that I get to step onto the field is a good day.