Timbermen's Clark Helps Grand Canyon Win MCLA Crown

By GCU Staff (Photo Grand Canyon University) It didn’t take long for Cody Clark  to make his presence felt in Phoenix this past August. “The ginger hair, big smile, and humble demeanour caught the coaching staffs attention immediately”, said Head Coach Manny Rapkin. “And when practice started in October he let his offensive talent do the talking”. 

Clark, a business management major, worked his way up to the first midfield line by the end of "fall-ball" and never looked back, delivering 22 Goals and 12 helpers for the season. Eight of those points came in the post season where GCU won the Southwest Lacrosse Conference Championship and the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association Championship with a 9-8 victory over 2014 MCLA Champion University of Colorado. ”For a kid who didn’t play lots of field lacrosse he really made the transition look easy. He’s a hard worker who pays attention to detail and that really helped his box skills shine on the grass” said Rapkin. “I feel very fortunate to have been in the position I was in" said Clark. "The fact that it was my first year came with pressure to prove myself, so I just concentrated on doing my job". 

Clark joined fellow Vancouver Islander Lucas de Jong (Victoria, BC) on the first midfield line and developed a chemistry with him and line-mate Austin Ekeroth. The GCU Lopes had one second and two first team All-Americans at attack so the first lines primary responsibility was to create opportunities for the attack then wait for the ball to come back to them. 

Clark performed in the classroom as well with one of the highest GPA’s on the team. “He’s done just about as good as a freshman can do and he’s done it everywhere. He takes care of business on and off the field. He has a good role model in sophomore de Jong who is a GCU resident assistant, FCA advisor and solid student. “They are both representing Vancouver Island and British Columbia well”.