NAME: Pronghorns
UNIVERSITY: Lethbridge
CATEGORY: Team
SPORT: Rugby
YEARS ACTIVE: 2006-2011
HIGHLIGHTS:
Three straight CIS Championships (2007-2009)
Six straight Canada West Championships (2006-2011)
13-0 record in 2009
BIOGRPAHY:
One of the great dynasties in Canada West history, the University of Lethbridge women’s rugby team won six consecutive conference titles from 2006 to 2011, with a run of three straight CIS championships between 2007 and 2009.
Led by head coach Neil Langevin, the Pronghorns’ run started in 2006 when they won their first Canada West title, defeating UBC to 27-8 in the gold medal game. They advanced to the CIS championship, where they defeated Western in the bronze medal match.
The Pronghorns returned to nationals in 2007 and captured their first Monilix Trophy with a 15-10 victory over the host Western Mustangs in the gold medal game. Brittany Orr received the MVP award and was also named a tournament all-star, along with teammates Shannon Court and Amanda Richardson.
Lethbridge hosted the CIS championship in 2008, and defended its home turf, coming from behind to top St. Francis Xavier 29-15 in a gold medal final in front of more than 1,000 fans. Patzer was selected championship MVP.
The 2009 CIS championship final featured a rematch with St. FX, as Lethbridge once again prevailed, 20-3, to complete the three-peat. Andrea Letal was named MVP and joined all the championship all-star team by fellow Pronghorns Orr, Patzer, and Kelsey Willoughby. The gold medal capped a remarkable 2009 for the Pronghorns, who had an overall record of 13-0, and during the season out-scored Canada West opponents 333-7.
In 2010, Lethbridge defeated Alberta 18-5 in the Canada West final, although their bid for a fourth straight Monilix Trophy came to an end at nationals with a semifinal loss.
The Pronghorns capped off their run by adding a sixth consecutive Canada West title in 2011, defeating Alberta 41-0.
The Pronghorns received scores of individual accolades between 2006 and 2011; Patzer was a two-time CIS and Canada West Player of the Year (2006 and 2009), while Willoughby was back-to-back Canada West Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011. From 2007 to 2010, Lethbridge players won four consecutive Canada West Rookie of the Year awards, with Brandi Van Eeuwen also being named CIS Top Rookie in 2008. Langevin was recognized as both Canada West and CIS Coach of the Year in 2009.
The Pronghorns had one All-Canadian in each season from 2006 to 2008, and two All-Canadians in 2009, 2010, and 2011, while totalling 36 Canada West All-Star selections spanning 2006 to 2011, an average of six per season.
Many players from the Pronghorns championship teams have represented Canada in international competition with the U20 and senior national program.
TEAM MEMBERS: Rob Kossuth (assistant coach) Neil Langevin (head coach), JJ Ondrus (assistant coach), Norm McDougall (assistant coach), Rhonda Wildeman (assistant coach), Toby Boulet (manager), Alex Hendricks, Allie Laurent, Amanda Richardson, Andrea Letal, Ashley MacDonald, Ashley Patzer, Ashley Zaremba, Ashlyn Higgs, Austin Ogrins, Afton Meyers, Angela Watts, , Bernadette LaRose, Brandi Van Eeuwen, Brittany Orr, Brittany Zoeteman, Carly Raslask, Chantal Koning, Christie Pierson, Cindy Rogers, Courtney Armstrong, Courtney Faulkner, Cayley Gunn, Chelsey Price, Dayle Clamitt, Emily Stearns, Genevieve Ahart, Genna Davidge, Heather Robinson, Janice Cougle, Janine Grant, Jena Murray, Jennifer Wickwire, Jillian Ankutowicz, Juhee Thompson, Katelyn Jonsson, Kelsey Willoughby, Kendra Gavelin, Kathryn MacKenzie, Kerry Gibson, Kristine Da Silva, Kendra Reeves, Kenzie Ralph, Kessie Stefanyk, Kevenza Murphy, Kim Leavitt, Kim Stewart, Kristan Blais, Larissa Brown, Laura Murphy-Burke, Leinani Funa, Lindsey Duxbury, Logan Kennedy, Lynn Suttie, Madeline Hardy, Michelle Kensley , Marli Hadden, Natalie de kok, Nicole Van Eck, Paula Woynarowsky, Quinn Gillett, Rachael Brown, Regina MacKenzie, Rikki Lee Brown, Robynne Hogg, Roxanne Kelly, Rebecca Adeytuno, Rinde Koch, Shannon Court, Sophia Butler, Stacey Hake, Tiffany Dautremont, Tiffany Wideen