Skylar Running Rabbit grew up on Siksika Nation and started playing Lacrosse at 11 with the Strathmore Venom. He had played other sports up to that point and was looking for something new to try in the summer and lacrosse seemed like a natural fit.

"For me, it is the physicality. I played hockey growing up my whole life and then played baseball but needed a new summer sport. Lacrosse had the physicality that hockey did, I just kind of grew up being a very physical player."

Skylar took his passion and skill for the game and began applying to post-secondary schools throughout the U.S. The original plan was to play hockey in college but lacrosse was where he felt he fit more.

"I just, kind of, got stagnant in hockey, but continued to excel in lacrosse and then figured that lacrosse is also a really big sport at the NCAA level and so I decided that maybe lacrosse was something that I could look into further down in the states instead."

Applying to schools that had a good lacrosse program and availability to study the major he wanted, Exercise Science, led Skylar to head to New York to attend Tompkins Cortland Community College.

While playing lacrosse over the past year, Skylar continued to excel and was recognized for his hard work, individual play, and his contributions to his team in his freshman year. He was his College's Athlete of the Week and his region's Athlete of the Week.

Skylar was also named to the Mid-State Athletic Conference (MSAC) All-Conference Team, Region 3 All-Region First Team, and was the MSAC Player of the year.

The last year had its challenges. Skylar explained he is a student that does better with in-person learning. He did well with online learning but is looking forward to getting back in the classroom. There were highlights as well, Sklyar noted that for him, it was the people he got to meet and the coaches and teammates he got to work with.

At home, Skylar works with youth and enjoyed playing lacrosse but getting the chance to step out on his own and receive the recognition from his peers gave Skylar a different feeling of accomplishment, "I like to help out with the youth and all that, but going down there and being recognized for what I have to offer towards the team as a player in my position was a great feeling to know that I'm wanted for what I am able to offer."

Skylar is just getting started with three years to go in his four-year program. He is ready to head back in August and get back to playing and growing in the sport.