Claire Fleming – Class of 2010One encounter with Claire Fleming and you are electrified by her presence. Energy incarnate, the signature beaming flash of her smile lights up the world around her. What is most impressive is the fire Claire has always brought to her daily life. Her no-fear attitude and aggressive style of play showcased an indomitable spirit, intense commitment, and unwavering desire to give all of herself. As retired Naperville Central Athletic Director and fellow Hall of Fame inductee Marty Bee once remarked, “There will never be another Claire Fleming at Naperville Central.” He is right; she was no ordinary student-athlete. As a Redhawk, Fleming commanded attention – in the water, on the basketball court, in a student meeting, in the classroom, and within her social circles. Her gifts and talents spoke for themselves. This was a young woman who made a difference in her all of her worlds. As an athlete, Fleming owned the hardwood, earning 3 varsity letters and serving as team captain in her junior and senior years. Her leadership, work ethic, and fierce competitive fire earned her All-Conference recognition in her senior season. The Naperville Sun named her to its All-City Basketball First Team, noting that she was “equally comfortable at either forward position,” calling her “one of the best all-around players in the area,” a dynamic athlete who “averaged almost 12 points a game, by taking the ball inside or shooting from distance,” never hesitating to “mix it up underneath and be a shadow on defense.” A “key cog in the Redhawks conference championships” in her final two seasons, Fleming was an influencer both on and off the court. Coach Andy Nussbaum celebrated Fleming’s important touch, sharing, “Claire has been an awesome leader for us. One of the best we’ve had in my 22 years. She always knew what we were trying to do as a team and she helped make the other girls better.” A tough competitor who loved to win, Fleming always kept her focus on “team first,” respecting Nussbaum’s ability to keep the team’s perspective on the important things in life: “Coach Nussbaum would lead the team in prayer before games. I was taught to always have trust and believe in something bigger than myself. And that lesson not only helped me be the athlete I was in high school, but also shaped the person I am today.”For as powerful as she was on the basketball court, Fleming really came to life in the water. A 4-year varsity starter and 2-time Speedo/NISCA All American in water polo, Fleming racked up individual and team accolades. In 2008, she made the All-Sectional 2nd Team and was All-State Honorable Mention. As a junior, she was named to the All-Sectional 1st Team and All-State 1st Team and All-American 2nd Team, honors she would repeat as a senior. She was Sectional Player of the Year in 2010, won the team’s Red and White award and was named NCHS’s Female Senior Athlete of the Year. For all of the individual attention, Fleming’s greatest joys always centered on team achievement. When the Redhawks fell to eventual State Champion Lyons Township in overtime in an incredibly intense and hard fought State Semifinal match, Fleming told The Naperville Sun, “That was the most heart and effort put into any athletic event I’ve ever been a part of. It’s a matter of heart. I’m probably the most competitive person you’ll ever meet and I’m all smiles right now because I’m so proud of my team.” Coach Jeff Plackett applauded her leadership, noting in the same interview, “Fleming is a captain for a reason. Big players step up when they need to.” Buoyed by Fleming and co-captain Tori Davis’s example, the Redhawks took home a 3rd place trophy later that day. Fleming shared that Plackett taught her to be resilient, to “set goals for myself and revisit and revise my goals if things didn’t go according to plan.” For all of the tremendous winning moments found in the water over four years, Fleming loved the atmosphere of it all the most. “It was fun to feed off of the energy of all my other teammates practicing for the main event that we had worked towards all season. I was so lucky to be able to participate in the state tournament three times, and each time more exciting than the next.” Fleming’s athletic fire easily translated into academic intensity, student government responsibility and a genuine commitment to all things Naperville Central. An accomplished student, she earned the President’s Education Award and was an Honorable Mention IHSA Academic-All-State Team Member. At NCHS, Claire Fleming’s name was synonymous with leadership and service. From planning school dances and service projects through Junior and Senior Class Councils, to acting as Student Ambassador to the School Board and serving as co-chair for Mr. NCHS, to working with the Adapted PE program and mentoring freshmen, to leading peers as a JKB member, Claire fully loved and lived life as a Redhawk. She remembers, “Being a member of the J. Kyle Braid community surrounded me with so many amazing role models and gave me the opportunity to participate in Adapted PE, which was a gift. While it’s impossible to narrow high school down to one favorite memory, when I think of my athletic career at Naperville Central, my mind is flooded with the smiling faces of all my teammates and coaches. I got to meet so many amazing people that I might not have crossed paths with otherwise.” After graduation, Fleming continued her water polo career at Saint Louis University, where she was president of the Women’s Club Water Polo team for three years. She earned her B.S. in Nursing and passed her board certification to be an Oncology Certified Nurse. She is thrilled to have the honor to “help and work with individuals and families affected by cancer every day.” Fleming is married to fellow Naperville Central alum, Alex Schaefer and they are enjoying navigating life as a married couple. Looking back at her life at NCHS, Fleming is extremely thankful for her parents: “I would never have had the experiences I had if it weren’t for them, even though it took me a year to convince my mom to let me play water polo when I was a kid.” Her advice to current NCHS student-athletes captures the fire of her playing days, with an adult perspective: “You won the game, that’s AWESOME. You lost the game – that’s great too, as long as you look at the bigger picture. Use the emotions you feel after losing to get better alongside your teammates. Your athletic abilities might not be there forever, but the people you meet through your time as an athlete will!”