UNews - Amanda Richardson

Looking to go out on top

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:41:14 +0000

Amanda Richardson doesn't mind doing the grunt work, whether it's on the rugby pitch or in study hall. This month, the fruits of her on-field labours could produce a third consecutive national championship. In the spring, her classroom diligence will serve as the starting point to a professional career.

"It's bittersweet," Richardson says of wrapping up both her Pronghorns rugby career and her
U of L education. "I've learned so many life skills from rugby and being on this team in particular. It'll be tough not going to school and not looking forward to rugby season."

The 22-year-old Olds, Alta., native has come a long way since beginning at the
U of L five years ago. At that time she was a kinesiology student in a rugby program that had yet to establish an identity. Since then, her growth has mirrored that of the program, with both taking flight.

"I started in kinesiology, but I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do while I was here. After a year, I just didn't see a career path for me out of it," Richardson says, prompting her switch to the Faculty of Management and the pursuit of a degree in accounting. "My dad owns a business so there's a management influence in my family, and I decided to pursue that."

An Academic All-Canadian during her lone year in kinesiology, she has since qualified for All-Canadian status on two more occasions. Along the way, she has played on provincial rugby teams, been named a Canada West all-star for five straight seasons and was a CIS Tournament all-star the past three national tournaments, all the while celebrating consecutive national championships and setting the stage for a run at a career-capping third straight title.

"It's nerve-wracking knowing that it's our last year and how badly we want to win one more time," she says, referring to a senior group of five players who have been with each other from day one. "During the Canada West championship we talked about it potentially being our last game and that was pretty scary."

Being the best team in the country and having established the Horns as a rugby power is gratifying, but it also invites pressure and places a target on their backs.

"We got a feel for it last year, but I don't think everyone believed we should have been in the CIS final, so there wasn't as much pressure," she says. "Now, everyone will be gunning for us, but I think that will just make us more prepared for what we're going to face."

Being ready for the future is a Richardson hallmark. She spent the summer working in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Financial Planning office to gain valuable experience for her pending job search. Now, she has essentially put her ambitions to play rugby at the national level on hold as she readies for the next phase of her life.

"I tried out for the senior national team two years ago and wasn't selected. Then last year I got an invite to try again and didn't attend," Richardson says. "I'm not sure if I want to take that path anymore. There are other things in my life, like my career planning, that are taking precedence."

With another national title to win, five classes on the go and a pending graduation, Richardson again seems to have it all under control – whether it's on the field or off.

GET THE FACTS

• Richardson, at six-foot-one, plays the lock position, which is typically reserved for tall, athletic players. She was given the position in high school and excelled.

• Richardson was recruited to the U of L by Horns' manager Toby Boulet, who is also a native of Olds, Alta.

• Richardson has two older sisters (one working and one currently attending ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Victoria) and a younger brother (currently attending Olds College).

• Richardson equates this year's Pronghorn team to the one she debuted on in terms of recruited, young talent. The difference is the strong veteran presence this unit has to complement the incoming talent.

Rugby awards a U of L sweep

trevor.kenney — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:36:47 +0000

As 2009 Canada West Rugby Player of the Year, Lethbridge fly half Ashley Patzer's resume is getting longer and more impressive with each passing day.

The fifth-year Pronghorns team captain is in the final two weeks of a CIS career that includes two CIS championships, the 2008 CIS national tournament MVP award, CIS Player of the Year in 2006, CIS Rookie of the Year in 2005, three previous selections as a Canada West All-Star (now four) and two as a CIS All-Canadian.

The third-year kinesiology student and Lethbridge native is also a member of the Canadian Senior and Sevens rosters after playing on the U-19 team in 2006.

"Ashley Patzer has reinforced her reputation as an all-round phenom," says Lethbridge head coach Neil Langevin after Patzer captained her squad to a fourth consecutive Canada West title victory over the weekend. "To call her dynamic would be an understatement. She has continued to be an inspirational leader for her teammates and has developed to be one of the top players in the world."

Patzer had 40 points during the conference season, best in the conference, including four tries, seven converts and two penalty goals. The Pronghorns went 4-0-0, earning the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament, where they defeated host Alberta 30-0 in the final to qualify for this year's CIS tournament. In the final Patzer scored one try, two penalty goals and two converts.

Kelsey Willoughby, also of Lethbridge, added to the individual honours for the Pronghorns, earning the Canada West Rookie of the Year award. As well, Langevin grabbed coach of the year honours for 2009 and eight Horns were named to the first all-star team.

Willoughby, a first-year flanker and kinesiology student, scored two tries and played a key role in the Pronghorns' perfect conference season. She also scored a try during Friday's semifinal win over Victoria, helping her side earn a berth in the league final.

"Kelsey Willoughby had a spectacular rookie season," says Langevin. "Her power, speed and crafty running ability enabled her to be the top scoring forward in the conference. Her work rate is phenomenal and she has continued to improve all year. She will have a very bright future in Canadian rugby."

In 10 seasons on the sidelines, Langevin has helped Lethbridge to three Canada West titles and the last two CIS championships. In 2006 they defeated perennial rugby powerhouse Western Ontario to claim bronze and in 2003 the franchise made its first podium appearance at nationals, taking home a silver medal.

Following is a list of Canada West awards and all-star selections and their respective schools:

Awards

Most Valuable Player Award – Ashley Patzer (Lethbridge)
Rookie of the Year – Kelsey Willoughby (Lethbridge)
Student Athlete/Community Service – TBA later this week
Coach of the Year – Neil Langevin (Lethbridge)

All-Stars

Prop: Allison Lamoureux, Alberta
Prop: Brandi Van Eeuwen, Lethbridge
Hooker: Ashley MacDonald, Lethbridge
Centre: Shannon Court, Lethbridge
Centre: Kendra Reeves, Lethbridge
Scrum Half: Annika Eriksson, Alberta
Fly Half: Ashley Patzer, Lethbridge
Back Row: Ellen McGregor, Calgary
Back Row: Sarah Logan, Victoria
Back Row: Kelsey Willoughby, Lethbridge
Wing: Radha Jain, UBC
Wing: Kenzie Ralph, Lethbridge
Fullback: Karlee Carbert, Alberta
Lock: Danielle Willhoeft, UBC
Lock: Amanda Richardson, Lethbridge

Pronghorn pride shows in classroom

trevor.kenney — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:00:10 +0000

When members of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns athletic program are referred to as student-athletes, the emphasis is almost always on the athlete. Each
academic year, however, a talented group of individuals is able to bring focus to the student part of the moniker and they are recognized as Canadian Interuniversity Sport Academic All-Canadians.
"We see this as a really special accomplishment," Sandy Slavin, Executive Director, Sport and Recreation Services, says. "We see how much time they put into their athletics, and I don't know if people appreciate that commitment. When you consider that and then factor in an 80 per cent average on their ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, it really is a special achievement."
A total of 36 Pronghorn athletes made the grade for the 2007-08 academic year,
roughly 20 per cent of the entire athletic roster. For some it was a first appearance
on the list, while others, like swimmer Shannon Emerson, 2007-08 marked the culmination of five successive Academic All-Canadian seasons.
"I'm very proud to say that I was able to balance both, able to go to university, get great grades and still be successful in my swimming," Emerson (BFA/BEd), a
Lethbridge native who graduated in May, says.
"There is a lot to balance and it was hard to get used to at first. Looking back, I really think that being both an athlete and a student helped build great organizational and management skills, and that's something I carried on throughout my studies and now into my career."
Applying the discipline associated with being an athlete to studies is a consistent theme with many of the Pronghorns.
"Honestly, I find that when we're in our heavy season it's easier to find time to do all my studies because I have a structured framework for it," Pronghorns rugby player and management student Amanda Richardson says. "Now that the season is done I tend to procrastinate a little bit because I have that extra time, and in the end I'm more rushed."
Richardson, who hails from Olds, Alta., is proof that athletes can excel in both arenas. A member of the two-time CIS championship Pronghorns rugby squad, she has now earned her second Academic All-Canadian honour to go along with a Canada West all-star nod and CIS Tournament all-star recognition.
While the studentathletes do the heavy lifting to achieve their All-Canadian status, a framework of support that includes teammates, coaches and professors all helps the cause.
"The profs here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge are really supportive," Pronghorns women's hockey goaltender and management student Mackenzie Rizos says. "They find out you're a student-athlete and they try and make any accommodations for you that they can. Whether you are missing classes or tests, they've all been very helpful."
It's also a pride thing amongst many of the teams. Rizos and her hockey teammates tied the women's soccer team for having the most All-Canadians on campus, with six apiece.
"Our team made it our goal to have a higher (combined) GPA this year," she says. "We have study hall and awards for people who do improve and I think it's great our team recognizes those who do accomplish that goal."
She's quick to put into perspective what being a student-athlete means.
"It's important to realize you are here to get a degree," Rizos, a Calgary native, says.
"The reality is that being a women's hockey player, you can't really make a career out of it, so it's nice to be able to play hockey and have it contribute to your academic experience and I'm lucky to be able to do that."

UNews - Amanda Richardson

Looking to go out on top

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