Stepping into the Hot Seat this week is West Chester University women’s lacrosse’s own Mckayl Novak.
For those that do not know, the Hot Seat is a weekly interview between The Quad and a West Chester University student athlete.
Novak is a senior defensive player on West Chester University’s women’s lacrosse team. Novak hails from Hillsborough, N.J., and she wears No. 24 for the Golden Rams. Novak has been a three-year starter and was the recipient of Third-Team All-PSAC in her sophomore year.
She strives to receive All-PSAC honors again this season along with clinching a conference and NCAA Championship for the Golden Rams.
Novak appeared in 20 games in 2016 and forced 20 turnovers in those contests.
The Golden Rams were 17-3 last season (11-1 PSAC) and made it to the PSAC championship game where they fell three goals short to Mercyhurst University.
WCU failed to advanced past the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to Rollins College in heartbreaking fashion, as Rollins managed to tally a score with 31 seconds left to secure the victory.
The loss marked the earliest WCU had been bounced from the NCAA Tournament in their 11 appearances. The Golden Rams are determined to get back to the postseason so they can tend to some unfinished business.
Novak found time in her busy schedule to answer a few questions for The Quad in regards to this upcoming lacrosse season, what she’d play before a big game if given the team aux and her love for Chipotle.
B.J. Boyer: What is one thing you think our readers should know about the WCU women’s lacrosse team?
Mckayl Novak: We have a pretty young team this year, but the younger players are some of the strongest.
BB: How would you describe the energy surrounding the team going into this season?
MN: This team brings so much versatility that it’s amazing. We’ve never had a team with so much diverse talent and we’re going to show the PSAC that. We gelled so well these past couple months, and we work well with each other.
BB: You’re given the team aux before a game and you’ve got to play one song to get you guys as amped up as possible. What are you going to play?
MN: Probably “Church” by T-Pain. It’s a great song to get up and dance to. Throughout the song there are claps and it gets the whole team involved and hype when we get the claps crisp.
BB: What pushed you towards lacrosse?
MN: I started lacrosse in seventh grade because we never had a youth league where I lived. I wanted something more physical and active because I played softball all my life. It helped that I always had so much energy because I loved to run around and yell.
BB: Your affinity for Chipotle is well-documented. If there were only one Chipotle in America and it was in California, would you make that trip just to get it?
MN: I love this question. Absolutely, and, as a matter of fact, I would take multiple trips out there. No distance could ever keep me away from my one true love.
BB: Who is your favorite athlete of all-time?
MN: It’s hard to narrow it down to just one. But I’ll go with Derek Jeter. I always admired his poise, confidence and passion for baseball. Not to mention his stunning blue eyes.
BB: What goals do you have laid out individually and as a team for this season?
MN: West Chester has always been a strong-defensed team, and that’s how it’s going to remain. I am determined to be a vocal leader on the defensive end. We plan to make each game better than our last to get to that perfect team that will get us a championship title.
BB: Give me one important thing that your time at WCU has taught you, whether it’s on the field or off it.
MN: Take risks in life. If you fail, it will become a learning experience for the next time.
BB: Do you have any unique pregame rituals we should know about?
MN: I am that player that’s standing on benches in the locker room with the music turned up high, dancing and jumping around. It’s my way of getting the rest of the team pumped up and getting out all my pre-game jitters.
BB: In 10 years, Mckayl Novak will be ___?
MN: Famous.
William “B.J.” Boyer is a third-year student majoring in communication studies. He can be reached at WB806695@wcupa.edu.