Sports
Queen's calls on Wong-Hen
By Don Fennell
Published 11:28 PDT, Mon August 21, 2017
Inheriting his parents’ inexhaustible work ethic, Seth Wong-Hen has always been motivated by the potential of success. And many of the lessons the recent R.A. McMath Secondary grad has learned were honed in the sports arena.
"Participating in sport has taught me to focus and to prepare for situations,” he says.
Qualities unmistakable throughout his youth, like an intense desire to be an impact player coupled with hard work, unselfishness and reliability, are the same ones he hopes to build upon going forward.
While he will be on the sports sidelines this year, to concentrate on first-year studies at Queen’s University where he’s enrolled in applied sciences with an eye toward becoming an engineer (like his dad),, Wong-Hen would love nothing more than to also eventually represent the nation’s oldest school (founded in 1841) as an athlete.--likely in rugby,
One of the best high school players in the province last season, he played rugby all five of his years at McMath. His enthusiasm for the game grew steadily under the influence of coach Mike Charlton.
A natural athlete, Wong-Hen says he’s been privileged to have had many positive sporting experiences.
“I can’t imagine how my life would have been without them. The experience and friendships gained make me the person I am today.
Reflecting on some of his favourite sports moments, he is anxious to include those teammates and coaches who have greatly influenced him.
“I played hockey at Seafair from when I was six and was lucky enough to have played for some awesome coaches including Aaron Wilbur, Russ and Ryan Weber and (newly-appointed Richmond Sockeyes’ bench boss) Steve Robinson. And I have lifelong friends including Ty Taylor, Jordy Sandhu, Julius Zhang, Andrew and Sam Kemp and Brandon Lum.”
Proud to have captained Seafair’s Midget A1 team last season, he capped his hockey career with many of those teammates by winning a B.C. high school championship for McMath. He says “to be able to celebrate that success was amazing.”
With his university experience about to begin, the days of youth sports are already becoming memories. But Wong-Hen looks back at them fondly, and with great reverence for the teachers and coaches—Paul Roberts and his dad in basketball, Daniel Wong in volleyball and Bob Riddell in track and field—who inspired and guided him.
“Each one has taught me something different and special.”