SARNIA – Another Tartan alum will don Lambton blue at the collegiate level.

Midfielder Ashton Vink has officially committed to Head Coach Adam Lakey and the Lambton Men’s Soccer Program for the 2023 season, and beyond.

Vink is the second member of the 2023 recruiting class for Lakey and his coaching staff. Vink will join goalkeeper Ben Crombeen (Sarnia, Ont.) as a newcomer with the Lions when the team returns to the field come September.

“Ashton is a really good athlete,” said Lakey. “But, on top of being a good athlete, he’s got great character. He’s part of his high school student council and was his class valedictorian.”

“You see him here today with two of his brothers and you can just see that he’s a good person who comes from a good family, so I am confident that he will fit in great here at Lambton College.”

Vink, who is the latest student-athlete to come to Lambton College from Wallaceburg and Wallaceburg District Secondary School, made his commitment official with two of his younger brothers at his side. It was an exciting moment for both Ashton and his family as he gears up for the next step in his sports journey.

“I’ve always played a sport during school for as long as I can remember, so I’m glad that I’ve been given this opportunity to commit and continue playing at the collegiate level,” said Vink. “I hope to bring a lot of heart and a will to win to the program.”

“I don’t like losing. I hate it with a passion, so I’m going to work as hard as I can to be the best player and teammate that I can be to help the program succeed.”

In addition to soccer, Vink has been involved with a variety of other sports as he’s grown up. He plays basketball and football, and he swims. Currently, Vink plays football for the Chatham Cougars program but has always been in and around the game of soccer since he can remember.

For Vink, having his family able to watch him play soccer for the Lions over the next few years is an opportunity that he doesn’t take for granted.

“My family has been watching me since my first brother was born, and they always give me that extra bit of motivation, and to just be a good example for them,” added Vink. “That’s what I always try to be, and it’s nice for me to have them to still be able to watch me play at the collegiate level and I hope to keep that going.”

Academically, Vink will be enrolled in the Instrumentation & Control Engineering Technology – Industrial Automation Program at Lambton College.

The recruiting pipeline from Wallaceburg District Secondary School to Lambton College is as strong as ever, with Vink the latest student-athlete to trade the Tartans colours for Lambton Lions blue. For Lakey, it was a little help from a fellow Lions bench boss that got this particular recruiting process started, one that evidently paid off.

“I really have to thank Women’s Basketball Head Coach Janine Day for helping to establish that connection with Ashton,” added Lakey. “She knows him well from working with him at WDSS and recommended him to us, and we’re looking forward to having him join us at Lambton College.”

The Lions are coming off a 2022 season that saw the program advance to the post-season for the second time in the last three seasons. With several newcomers on last year’s roster having taken on key roles from the outset of the season, the future is bright for the Lions heading into the 2023 season.

The addition of Vink to the roster adds depth to the midfield, an area that will be a strength for the Lions given the expected returnees from last year’s group.

Welcome to The Den, Ashton!