Growing up, every child wanted to be placed on the same team as their best friend, whether it be in gym class or in a local town league. For two Oswego State athletes, they have a bond stronger than friendship and have played together since birth.

Clara and Camille O’Kane were born just minutes apart, and since then, the twins have grown up playing lacrosse together. Despite being teammates since elementary school, the two still love playing with one another.

“A lot of people ask, ‘Do you think you’d get old of [playing together]?’ but honestly, we [have] spent 21 years of our lives together, and I wouldn’t take any second of it back,” Camille said. 

Camille, the younger of the two, is a dynamic attack who had a bit of a breakout season her sophomore year at Onondaga Community College. Back in 2018, she scored eight goals in nine games played and was an integral part to a NJCAA Div. III National tournament. Clara, on the other hand, is a stout defender who played in 20 of the 23 games during her two-year stint with the Lazers. Although the Lazers lost in the first round of the tournament, it was an experience Camille would never forget.

“It was just exhilarating, thrilling. We had such a good team,” Camille said. “I can’t say anything bad about OCC and all the girls that came with us.”

Coming in as transfer juniors, the O’Kanes bring in a combination of leadership and postseason experience that not many can offer. While junior college does not provide the tough competition the SUNYAC has, the experience of playing in big-time games translates regardless of skill level. 

“Coming from junior college to Div. III is definitely different, and [Camille and Clara] are learning that the pace of play is different,” head coach Britt Howard said. “Having that experience in the championship and just that mentality is really good.”

The O’Kanes are quite familiar with Oswego State’s program, as their older sister, Gemma O’Kane, was a four-year starter and the captain in 2018. Watching their older sister play with the Lakers drew both Clara and Camille to Oswego State. Even in high school, Camille was attracted to Oswego State. As a freshman at Onondaga Community College, Camille’s “academic goal” was to transfer to Oswego State when she graduated. Clara also fell in love with the program during Gemma’s experience as a Laker.

“We visited here a lot and we loved the school,” Clara said. “We were really familiar with the program and loved the team already before we even got here.”

Now, in Oswego State, they have made quite the impact. While Camille has only played in two games, she provides a veteran leadership coming off the bench, which was especially noticeable in their last game against SUNY Geneseo.

“Even last night, our momentum came from our bench,” Howard said. “Camille is one of our biggest leaders on the bench because she is a junior and has a lot of personality. She is always happy and smiling.” 

Camille and Clara have always been pretty loud while playing sports together. It demonstrates the genuine joy they radiate whenever they are together, whether it be on the turf or hardwood.

“We played basketball [together],” Camille said. “I wouldn’t say it was our best sport, but we definitely fooled around a little bit too much on that team.”

This type of energy and excitement is something the pair brings to this Lakers team, which is very important when playing in such a tough conference. Their personalities keep the locker room light and help the team perform well in crunch time.

While Camille is a vocal leader on the bench, Clara is a strong extension of Howard’s coaching staff. Whenever she enters the game, she relays the coaching staff’s message to the rest of her teammates. 

When the two of them find themselves on the turf together, they have a chemistry that cannot be topped.

“We definitely have twin telepathy,” Clara said. “I know exactly where she is going to be, even if I am turned around. I know where she is, and she knows where I am.”

Regardless of that level of connection, the two already have a strong chemistry with other players on the roster. Currently, the Lakers have eight Onondaga Community College graduates, all of which have played at least one season together prior to joining Oswego State. The Lazers preach family, as Howard said, so it was no surprise that so many transferred to the Lakers together.

Despite playing with other junior college teammates, nothing beats playing with their twin. Both Clara and Camille found it hard to pick just one moment that stood out from their lengthy lacrosse careers.

“Every moment is my favorite moment. I mean, there is not a dull day that goes by,” Clara said. “Every day, we have fun. We never take it for granted.” 

But, when urged to express her truly favorite memory, Clara’s answer proved how much the two truly love playing with each other.

“I think whenever she scores a goal, honestly,” Clara said of Camille. “Whenever she scores a goal, I get so excited. It is a huge achievement for us.”

Photo by Maria Pericozzi | The Oswegonian