UNews - Southern Alberta High School Rugby League

Langevin takes year leave

trevor.kenney — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:25:41 +0000

On the heels of a season that saw an end to a six consecutive Canada West Championship run, 12-year ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby head coach Neil Langevin has announced that he will take a year leave from his head coaching duties.

Former Pronghorn and long-time assistant coach JJ Ondrus has been named the interim head coach for the 2013 season. While Langevin will not be the head coach next season, he will stay on as an assistant coach.

"Neil has done a great job not only developing the student-athletes in his time but also his coaches," says Executive Director of Sport and Recreation Services, Sandy Slavin. "JJ will do a great job, and having Neil around to help with the transition is an asset and will also free him up to concentrate on other areas of the program."

Langevin, the architect of the 'Horns most successful athletic program, has been the head coach since its inception in 2000 and led the Horns to three consecutive national titles from 2007-2009, in addition to the six consecutive conference titles. The 'Horns also medaled on two other occasions at the CIS Championships, earning a silver medal in 2003 and a bronze medal in 2006.

Twice named the Canada West coach of the year (2002 and 2009), Langevin was also named the CIS coach of the year in 2009.

Over the 12 years, Langevin compiled a 41-21-0 conference record including a 22-game conference winning streak that spanned more than three full seasons.

Internationally, Langevin coached Canada's National Team to a fourth place finish at the 2006 World Cup. He also spent time as the head coach with Rugby Canada's National U20 Women's team.

"The challenge to contend for a national title every year has become difficult as I have two active boys with increasingly busy schedules and a full-time job," says Langevin of his decision to take a year leave. "JJ will bring her own ideas and strengths to build the program back to a national contender. I am proud of her and am confident in her abilities."

Ondrus began her Pronghorn career as a women's soccer player in 1997, playing three seasons, before moving to rugby. She was part of the inaugural women's rugby team in 2000. She finished her fifth year of athletic eligibility in 2001 when the Horns captured their first win against UBC in the Canada West bronze medal game.

Ondrus has been coaching with the program since her graduation. She's coached for over 10 years in the Southern Alberta High School Rugby League, most currently at Winston Churchill High School, where she teaches physics.

She has also travelled as a coach with two international high school rugby tours, one to England/Scotland (2006) and one to Wales (2010). Ondrus was an assistant coach for Rugby Alberta Senior and U23 Women at Rugby Nationals.

"I've been with the program since it started in 2000, so it is near and dear to my heart," says Ondrus. "I am very excited for my new role and cannot wait to bring my energy and ideas to the table. Neil has set the bar pretty high, but I know, as he does, that I am ready!"

The 2013 Canada West rugby schedule has yet to be released but the 'Horns will begin training camp in late August.

Horns rugby bulks up for season

trevor.kenney — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:34:20 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby team has a target on its back. As the defending three-time CIS champions enter the 2010 season, the entire country is taking aim at ending the club's reign.

With the graduation of the most successful class in Pronghorn women's rugby history, head coach Neil Langevin has had his work cut out for him as he tries to keep his squad on top.

Last year's senior group, which was lead by CIS player of the Year Ashley Patzer, won four consecutive Canada West titles and three consecutive CIS titles and wrapped their collegiate career with an undefeated season, outscoring their opponents 446-13.

Enter a quartet of newcomers that Langevin expects to make an immediate impact.

Juhee Thompson, Logan Kennedy, Tiffany Wideen and Larissa Brown were introduced as the newest Horns on Tuesday afternoon, effectively opening a new chapter for the national powerhouse.

Thompson, a Cardston, Alta. product, was the 2009 most valuable player in the Southern Alberta High School Rugby League. A flanker, she played for the Raymond Comets and was also a member of the Alberta U17 and Canadian U18 teams.

"Her incredible athletic co-ordination allows Juhee to be an exciting player," says Langevin. "Juhee has the potential to be one of the best players in the country in her time at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. We are excited that she is going to play here."

Thompson will also suit up for the women's basketball team after the rugby season has completed.

The CIS top-ranked Horns will begin defense of their Canada West title this weekend with road games against the Victoria Vikes and UBC Thunderbirds respectively. The U of L hosts the Canada West Championships, Oct. 22-24 at the Community Sports Stadium.

For more on the new Pronghorns recruits, follow this link.

Rugby Horns announce recruits

trevor.kenney — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:44:29 +0000

They've won consecutive national championships and yet the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women's rugby team is anything but complacent.

On the heels of back-to-back Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) national titles, the Horns announced their 2009 recruiting class and it features an exceptional lineup of talent. Leading the way is local product and 2009 Southern Alberta High School Rugby League (SAHSRL) most valuable player, Kelsey Willoughby.

"Kelsey is a phenomenal force in rugby. We know that she will be able to make the jump from high school to CIS play," says Pronghorns head coach Neil Langevin. "She is renowned as a physically dominating player. On defence and attack she is a player who makes opposing players and fans take notice."

Soon to be a Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI) graduate, Willoughby has also been a member of U19 Team Alberta. The back row player is expected to have an immediate impact during her freshman season and for years to come.

"She is one of the most exciting players to come out of the south and is a sure bet to be featured on future national teams," continues Langevin.

Stacey Hake, Kevenza Murphy and Jenn Wickwire round out the recruiting class.

Hake is a player who already has national team experience and she joins the Horns via North Vancouver, B.C. and Carson Graham High School. A lock or #8, Hake captained the under 17 national team and is a two-time medalist at Nationals with the BC U17 team, winning gold and silver.

"Stacey will grow into a leader on this team; she has a very good background in high school and on the B.C. provincial team," says Langevin. "She is a very smart player who combines physical play with exceptional skills."

Murphy, also a member of the U17 B.C. team that won silver at the 2008 nationals, comes to the Horns after an exceptional high school career with Moscrop Secondary in Burnaby, B.C.

"Kevenza is an intelligent rugby player who seems to know where the ball will be and has the skills to make use of the ball," says Langevin. "She is surprisingly strong and also comes from the strong B.C. provincial program."

Wickwire, a central Alberta all-star, completes the class. A prop, Wickwire adds to the Horns' front row and joins a large contingent of Alberta team members already on the Horns. She has suited up with the U17 provincial team and just completed a strong high school career with Olds High School.

"Jenn is a powerhouse we have been following since grade 10 and will be a welcome addition to the pack. Alumnus Courtney Armstrong has coached her and she will be very familiar with the skill set we will be looking for," says Langevin.

The Horns will begin defence of their Canada West and CIS titles Sept, 26, hosting the newest member of the Canada West women's rugby scene, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos. With the addition of the Dinos, Canada West has changed the composition of conference play. The Horns will also host the Alberta Pandas and travel to both Victoria and UBC, with the top four teams from the regular season qualifying for the conference championships. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta will host the conference championship tournament, Oct. 23 to 25.

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