Written by USC blog contributor, Andie Hagemann
They say to never follow a legend. However, with the departure of Cutino Award winning goalie Joel Dennerley, USC has asked another Aussie, James Clark, to help lead the Trojans to a fifth consecutive championship.
"It's definitely some big shoes to fill as he's a legacy himself," Clark said about Dennerley. "We are good friends and he taught me a lot about what to expect coming into the program. I'm not trying to follow in his footsteps but rather I am going to try and do my own thing and help the team win a fifth championship."
Clark and Dennerley were both on Australia's Nation Team for the 2012 London Olympic Games where they finished seventh. It was Dennerley that convinced Clark to transfer from the University of Western Sydney to USC.
"Joel and Coach Jovan brought me here," Clark said. "Joel told me great things about USC and I saw how much it helped him develop as a player from where he was when he came here and where he was when he left. I figured it would do the same for me."
Clark had to adapt quickly following the conclusion of the Olympics in order to prepare for the 2012 season. "The standard of the Olympics is the highest it can be and the NCAA level is only a half-step behind it as there is still a good quality of competition," Clark said. "It was hard to adapt but USC has great facilities and there are people here that are willing to help. I try to use that to my advantage."
The top-ranked Trojans currently stand undefeated and will host crosstown rival UCLA on Saturday in the regular season finale.
"I've definitely heard about the rivalry and it's everywhere this week with both the football and water polo programs," Clark said. "They played UCLA in the 2011 Championship and since then there has been some highly contested matches. I am prepared and so is the team. I'm happy it's here at home and it will be a great game."
They say to never follow a legend. However, with the departure of Cutino Award winning goalie Joel Dennerley, USC has asked another Aussie, James Clark, to help lead the Trojans to a fifth consecutive championship.
"It's definitely some big shoes to fill as he's a legacy himself," Clark said about Dennerley. "We are good friends and he taught me a lot about what to expect coming into the program. I'm not trying to follow in his footsteps but rather I am going to try and do my own thing and help the team win a fifth championship."Clark and Dennerley were both on Australia's Nation Team for the 2012 London Olympic Games where they finished seventh. It was Dennerley that convinced Clark to transfer from the University of Western Sydney to USC.
"Joel and Coach Jovan brought me here," Clark said. "Joel told me great things about USC and I saw how much it helped him develop as a player from where he was when he came here and where he was when he left. I figured it would do the same for me."
Clark had to adapt quickly following the conclusion of the Olympics in order to prepare for the 2012 season. "The standard of the Olympics is the highest it can be and the NCAA level is only a half-step behind it as there is still a good quality of competition," Clark said. "It was hard to adapt but USC has great facilities and there are people here that are willing to help. I try to use that to my advantage."
The top-ranked Trojans currently stand undefeated and will host crosstown rival UCLA on Saturday in the regular season finale.
"I've definitely heard about the rivalry and it's everywhere this week with both the football and water polo programs," Clark said. "They played UCLA in the 2011 Championship and since then there has been some highly contested matches. I am prepared and so is the team. I'm happy it's here at home and it will be a great game."
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