Article content A young Claire Connors is at a soccer skills development session at the Ness Timmons Field at Cape Breton University in this undated photo. CONTRIBUTED ContributedArticle contentABOUT CLAIRE CONNORSArticle contentAge: 18Lives: WestmountGraduating: Riverview High SchoolWith: Advanced degree, French immersionHeading to: St. Francis Xavier UniversityEntrance scholarship: Heather Rice Reeseman ($40,000)Taking: Bachelor of business administrationMajoring: AccountingMinoring: Public policy and governanceAsst. Captain: Cape Breton Lynx U18 AAA hockey teamCaptain: Riverview High School varsity girl’s soccer teamOther school teams: Women’s hockey, softball, golfSchool awards (2025): Scholar athlete, MVP softball, leadership award soccer, coaches award hockeyCareer plans: “To be successful in something and be happy with what I’m doing.”Article contentA NATURAL LEADERArticle contentWhen she was in early grades in elementary school, Connors started playing non-competitive hockey and soccer.Article contentIn hockey, there were no girls’ teams when she was growing up until she was in her early teens.Article contentArticle contentWhile playing on the boys’ teams, Connors dreamed of making it on the Cape Breton Lynx U18 AAA hockey team, a dream that came true when she made the team in Grade 10, the first year she was eligible.Article contentLynk said the hockey skills of Connors stood out as did her personality.Article content“She just lights up the room. She knows how to make everyone laugh,” said Lynk.Article content“On the ice she has great vision. She can kind of see the play develop before it was even happening and just a great all-around teammate and leader.”Article contentLynk made Connors one of the assistant captains of the 2024-2025 season because of these attributes.Article content“(She is) able to rally everybody and get them pumped up. She is vocal in the locker room and just leading by example,” Lynk said.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentKEEPING MOODS UPArticle contentWhen she was 13, someone recommended she try out for a Cape Breton Football Club (CBFC) team and she made it. It was her first time playing competitive soccer and her first on an all-girls sports team.Article content“At first I was nervous to play with all girls because growing up I was only friends with guys and I played sports a lot,” said Connors.Article content“Then when I joined the team, I realized ‘Oh my God, there’s so much better than boys.’ Let me tell you, it’s so much more fun and they’re more encouraging. It’s more of a team I find than an individual thing like it is when you play with guys.”Article content Claire Connors, then in Grade 11, holds the Highland Division 1 Regional Championships banner at Open Hearth Park in October 2024, after Riverview High School beat Memorial High School. CONTRIBUTED ContributedArticle contentHanna said Connors was a “gritty player” with a strong work ethic and athleticism.Article content“She leads by example, displaying toughness and perseverance,” she said. “She is also very supportive of her teammates. ”Article contentOne way Connors helps her team is by keeping player morale up when the game isn’t going their way.
‘An exceptional athlete and human being’; Cape Breton graduate’s leadership, team spirit praised
