A Sooke sports star is turning heads both in the lacrosse box and on the rugby field. Maren McKeown, who discovered lacrosse at the age of 10 after seeing a poster at Pearkes Recreation Centre, has steadily climbed the ranks to play at the highest levels.
This August, McKeown played goalie for Team BC’s U22 women’s box lacrosse team at the Carol Patterson Trophy nationals in Halifax. It was a momentous opportunity to showcase her talent on a national stage.
“It’s a big honour to play for Team BC, and I love being able to represent the Island and my city,” McKeown said. “It’s nice to show that kids from a small town like Sooke can compete nationally in lacrosse.”
Team BC finished with a silver medal, after falling 9-2 to Team Alberta in the gold medal game. While the outcome was not what McKeown hoped for, the experience was far from disappointing.
“It was exciting to come to the East Coast. When my age group went to nationals in Halifax in 2018, they won gold. There was a big expectation for us to win gold again, but the tournament was really fun. We learned a lot and made many memories,” she said.
McKeown’s achievements are not limited to the U22 team. She previously helped her U19 Team BC women’s field lacrosse squad win gold in 2023. Despite the different medal this year, she treasures the moments outside the box even more.
“The best times were just spending time in the hotel room together, getting closer as a team. You would hear us laughing and joking the whole time,” McKeown recalled.
Maren has been part of Team BC since 2019 and plans to return next year for another shot at gold. Her sports journey, however, is not limited to lacrosse.
Her father, Sean McKeown, has watched with pride as his daughter excels in multiple sports. Inspired by their dedication, he even started a YouTube channel, Maren Media, to relive games and highlights.
“I’m super excited to see the kids being competitive and doing well,” he said. He also highlighted the achievements of his son, who competes in boxing.
With the lacrosse season complete, McKeown has shifted her focus to rugby, another sport she loves. She is currently at the University of Prince Edward Island attending rugby training camp. She aims to compete in the Atlantic University Sport championships in October.
“I just love playing sports. Since I was little, I played every sport I could. I realized I could continue in university, either in lacrosse or rugby, and rugby just felt like the right path for me,” she said.
Maren’s ambition extends beyond sports. She hopes to become a lawyer after university, but for now, she is pursuing every opportunity athletics offers. Her dedication and versatility make her a true Sooke sports star, inspiring young athletes in her community and beyond.
Whether defending the goal in lacrosse or charging down the rugby field, McKeown continues to show that talent, hard work, and team spirit can take her far. With her eyes set on future championships, she is proving that small-town athletes can achieve big dreams on the national stage.
