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| 2010 STATE CHAMPIONS! |
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2010 Traverse Bay Blues Girls Rugby
Club COACH - STATE TITLE TO TC U-19 GIRLS TEAM! By GREG GIELCZYK
Sports Editor
TRAVERSE CITY – After knocking on the door for two years in a row, the Traverse City Blues prep girls cooperative
rugby team kicked it in . Finishing second in the state tournament two years ago, the Blues thought they were on the cusp
of a title.
But they slipped to third place last year, and that had head coach Stephanie Kehrer feeling …
well ... blue.
She began to wonder if the Blues were ever going to reach the pinnacle of their sport.
Perhaps
her team sensed her trepidations, or, more than likely, the three seniors felt an urgency because for them it was now, or
never...
As everyone picked up the tempo in practice, Kehrer began to sense the excitement
in the air. Once the season began, it was clear the Blues were on a mission and woe be it to anyone standing in their
way.
This team was not going to be denied, and they tore through everyone in compiling an impressive 9-0 regular
season record. Winning so handily – the Blues scored over 300 points, and gave up just 12 – they entered the
state finals ranked No. 1, and as the team to beat. And it was the same story in the state finals, with the Blues controlling
the game from the start and rolling to a 32-3 win.
"It certainly was exciting," Kehrer said. "It's
like they were so far above every other team this year it was just bizarre.
"I'm
not really sure why that was ... I'm glad that all the hard work finally paid off."
Team first
Kehrer met with the team before the state tournament and issued a challenge to the players. Putting the team ahead of
individual statistics, the Blues became virtually unbeatable. Brittany Noonan was the team's
high scorer for the season, and was named Most Valuable Player in the state final voted by the rival coaches.
"She
had her game of the season," Kehrer said. "She just had a fantastic attitude that day, and ran like there was no
tomorrow.
"It's that she's such a dedicated player, and a joy to have on the team. The support players
are so huge. "We do have a girl on the team who has always been a good player because she's a gifted athlete. But,
in the last few games, she has become a good rugby player.
"No longer selfish with the ball, she looks for
her support. That really is what has made the season so successful. People are using their support. Nobody is trying to
be the superstar. I'm so proud and excited for them."
Eden Denton, the inside center, outside center
Marie Klinglesmith and prop Lane Wagner also had great games. Team captain Sarah Arthur kept it all together with her leadership.
Arthur is a junior, and Kehrer – whose husband, Jim, coaches the forwards – is grateful to have her coming back
next year.
Only three seniors graduate off this year's team, and one girl might opt to play softball. The
seniors are Dani Nolff, Amanda Ramirez and Ryhan Nadji.
"I know that we will be very successful next year,
too," Kehrer said. "We need to recruit some freshmen, and get them fully into rugby. "Seniors are great to
have on a team. I want them to enjoy the sport. But, if I can get them earlier, they'll have four years of it."
The Blues had only one word for this year.
Sweet.
Contact
Greg Gielczyk at gielczyk@jackpine.com.If you are interested in playing girls rugby please
contact:
Stephanie Kehrer - email
989.297.0386
- mobile
2010 Spring Schedule Home games are played at the Civic Center
- April 17 - Grandville A
- w 59-0
- April 24 - Lake View H - w 54-0
- April 30 - TROY H - w 57-0
- May
1st - Freeland A - w 48-5
- May 8th - MIDWEST Playoffs, Carmel ,IN 1-2
- May 15th - State Playoffs (TBD)w
48-12
- May 22nd - State Finals (TBD)w 32-3!
Lane Wagner Scoring for Eagle U-20
Local High School Girls Rugby Standout Is Named To National Squad
Lane Wagner, (15
y/o, TC West) was named to the United States Under-20 developmental squad for the upcoming U19 Invitational National
All Star Championships that will take place in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Wagner
was the only player from Michigan to make the squad which is made up primarily of college freshmen. “While
the team will be young it contains ten players from the USA U20 Women's National Team that played in England
in 2007 and in South Africa this summer.” Said Bryn Chivers, Head
Coach, USA U20 Women's National Team. “We are beside ourselves with pride for how well Lane has done”, Said Traverse
Bay Alliance Coach Stephanie Kehrer. “Although this is not unprecedented, it is extremely rare to
have a high school sophomore, who just turned 15, make a team made up of the best 18 year olds in the country.” She
continued. Wagner’s
saga began when she, along with Sara Arthur (15, Saint Francis) were invited to attend tryouts for the Midwest Select Side
(All Star Team) in Bowling Green, OH. Apparently, Lane so impressed Kurt Weaver, Coach, Midwest U-19 Thunderbirds,
that he sent video of Lane’s tryout to the national squad coaching staff. Coach Chivers and his staff
evaluated the footage as well as Lane’s fitness test results and extended her the invitation to join the team. “To me, this is an indication
that Lane has been identified as having the potential to play at the highest level the sport has to offer. What
I find amazing is that we have more than just Lane on the Alliance right now who are capable of performing at that level.
Our program is primarily focused on teaching the sport of rugby in an always positive environment and along the way,
we like to think that by developing strength, and mental toughness in these girls, we’re helping the parents create
quality young women. But to have Lane go this far so fast, and to have a few more on the verge of doing
so has really taken us by surprise.” Said Coach Stephanie Kehrer. “I am nervous and excited for the opportunity
to play for the U.S. coaches”. Said Lane Wagner. “I am grateful to Coaches Stephanie,
Jim, George, and Matt, who have taught me the game of rugby”. She continued.
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