Page 12 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 147

Max Caleb
Lamarche
By Victoria Klassen
Cornwall Wildcats cornerback,
Max Lamarche, grew up
playing soccer. After playing
soccer for 16 years, he explored
playing kicker/safety for his
high school team and decided
to make the switch to football.
Within two weeks of quitting soccer,
Max was trying out for the Wildcats.
“The best part for me about the sport is always going to be the
friends that I made and the family that the Wildcats has created
within our team. I already had friends on the team, but when I
joined, I quickly made new lifelong friends,” Max shared.
He’s looking forward to this season because his season last year
was cut short with an injury after the first game.
“Our season starts in May and I’m just really excited to get back
on the field and make plays. It’s my and my buddies last year to
play for the Wildcats so I just want to go out there and have some
fun with them,” said Max.
One of his favourite memories with the Wildcats was going to
Bourget for a mini-camp during his first year. He said the camp
was a lot of fun and the bat flying around the gym made it extra
memorable.
“I enjoy being a Wildcat and playing for this team because I
never felt like an outsider, even when I first joined. I was just
some soccer player who didn’t know anything, and they could’ve
left me aside, but they didn’t. They made sure I learned and was
included in everything,” Max said.
“Of course, every year we want to try and win a championship,
and if we did it would be a great send off. But I think personally
if I can finish the season as healthy as I started it, and so can my
teammates, it will have been a successful season.”
613.936.0660 • www.minimaxexpress.com
605 Education Rd. Cornwall, ON, K6H 6C7
Cardinal
By Victoria Klassen
Caleb Cardinal, a receiver with
the Cornwall Wildcats, began
his football journey with his
brother in 2015 in the tykes’
spring league. Before that, Caleb
was a soccer player and dabbled
in many different sports.
In addition to playing with the
Wildcats, Caleb played in the NCAFA league and then for his
high school, La Citadelle. In 2021, for the first time since 2015,
he got the opportunity to play alongside his brother on their high
school team. Last season, his school faced St. Joseph in the finals,
and after a 45-0 win, Caleb’s team came away as champions.
“One of my favourite things about football is how crucial
everyone’s role is. It takes not only trusting all eleven other guys
on the field to do their jobs, but also for all eleven of them to trust
that you will do yours. No one succeeds unless we all succeed and
it’s amazing to see how it can really bring together a group of
young athletes,” said Caleb.
For this Wildcats season, Caleb is looking forward to seeing what
the team can can do with their potential and new tactics.
“I’m more than happy the off-season is over and to be back on the
field and together with all the guys. It’s always something to look
forward to. Regardless of where we place on the leaderboard,
it’s always an amazing environment and there’s nothing else I’d
rather spend my time doing,” said Caleb.
Some highlighted moments from Caleb’s years with the Wildcats
have been the endless bonding over bus rides across the province,
weekends away at College Bourget, nights together at practice,
banquets and outings, and volunteering as a team in the
community.
Continued on page 31
“People Pulling Together for you”