Dylan Clack ’23 fell in love with soccer during recess in elementary school. So when he had to choose his main sport, he chose not to follow after his father, an all-American swimmer in college, and picked the sport he had always loved playing — soccer. After coming to Choate in 2019, and making the varsity team as a freshman, he quickly demonstrated his prowess in the game. Over the last three seasons, Clack has proven himself a capable player on the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team as a center defensive midfielder and Co-captain. Although the team started on a three-game losing streak, their record currently stands at 7-6-2 as they fight for a playoff spot this fall.
Growing up in Montreal, Canada, Clack was an avid hockey player before he began playing soccer. But as he continued playing soccer, he drifted further from hockey. When Clack joined the Choate soccer team his freshman year, he was amazed by the team’s camaraderie and compassion. “It was so great to have a team to be a part of when I came in. It [was] like a family and was awesome to have some of the older guys watching out for me,” he said. One of these players was team Captain Sam Curtis ’20. Curtis served as a mentor to Clack while they were both on the soccer team, and still does to this day.
Although Clack attended class remotely last fall and thus missed out on the soccer season, he was not discouraged. Instead, Clack was committed to improving both his mental and physical game. Since he couldn’t train with Choate’s team, he played with his hometown club team. “It was weird coming in as a freshman and then not having another season for two years. It puts into perspective how short your high school career is,” said Clack.
Currently, Clack is a junior and has taken a leadership role as Co-captain. Even though he spent minimal time on the campus last year, Clack was nevertheless able to foster relationships with the new and younger players on the team. With the help of his Co-captain, Gunnar Lucuk ’22, Clack has created a welcoming environment. “Given that there are eleven guys on the field at once, it is integral that we are all able to work together to accomplish our common goals,” Clack said. Clack looks forward to continuing to help the team grow in the future. Planning to take his talents to the collegiate level, Clack has been an outstanding force both on and off the field and will continue to be a valuable part of the Choate soccer program.
