Drexel University Athletics
Dragon of the Week: McGurk, Smith, and Van Hellemont
11/10/2025 12:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Basketball, Field Hockey
PHILADELPHIA – Laine McGurk, Sebastian Smith and Valentine Van Hellemont named the Drexel Dragons of the Week, presented by Rothman Orthopaedics, for the week of November 4th–10th.
Laine McGurk, a member of the women's basketball team, opened the season with a career night in Drexel's win over Pitt. The junior scored a career-high 33 points on 13-for-19 shooting, including five made threes, while adding five rebounds across 35 minutes. She followed with 15 points and six rebounds in a victory over Marist as the Dragons started the season 2-0. The West Chester, Pa. native set career bests in points, field goals, three-pointers and minutes played during the opening week.
Sebastian Smith, a member of the men's swimming and diving team, delivered a dominant performance in Drexel's 195-95 win over Seton Hall. The senior set four pool records at the Daskalakis Athletic Center, breaking marks in the 50 free, 100 fly and 100 free while also helping the 400 medley relay to a new standard. In a meet that featured seven pool records for the Dragons, the Wappingers, N.Y. native added three individual victories and contributed to multiple relay wins as Drexel improved to 2-0.
Valentine Van Hellemont, a member of the field hockey team, led Drexel to the 2025 CAA Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. The junior posted four points during championship weekend and was named both CAA Player of the Year and Tournament MVP as the Dragons defeated Northeastern and top-seeded Monmouth to claim the program's first conference title since 2012. The Lier, Belgium native helped send Drexel to its third NCAA Tournament appearance, where the Dragons will face Saint Joseph's in the play-in round.
Players Mentioned
