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2011 Canada West women's rugby major awards and all-stars announced
Source: Canada West Communication / Photo credit Lethbridge Athletics
EDMONTON – After scoring five tries during the four-game
conference season, University of Lethbridge Pronghorns flanker /
lock Kelsey Willoughby has been voted Canada West women’s
rugby Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive year.
“Kelsey has improved upon her stellar play from last
year’s MVP performance,” said Pronghorns head coach
Neil Langevin. “The flanker has been a dynamic force on
attack and defence. She combines the rare ability of being able to
battle up close and then explode for long offensive runs.
“
Willoughby, who scored five tries for 25 points and helped the
Horns to a 4-0-0 record in her third year with the team, was Canada
West MVP in 2010 and took conference Rookie of the Year honours in
2009. She also makes a third appearance on the All-Star team, has
been named to the CIS All-Tournament team twice and was an
All-Canadian in 2010. In November, she will make her third trip to
CIS Nationals, having previously won a gold medal (2009).
Pronghorns fullback Kayla Moleschi had an outstanding freshman
campaign and has been selected Rookie of the Year. The Williams
Lake, B.C. product, a member of the Canadian Senior 7’s team
along with Willoughby, scored five tries during the conference
season, tying for fourth in league scoring with 25 points. Moleschi
also scored the first try in the Horns’ Canada West gold
medal victory vs. Alberta on Sunday.
“Kayla has electrified crowds with her dynamic play in attack
and defence,” said head coach Neil Langevin “The
diminutive fullback is an all-round force. With hands of glue she
catches everything that comes her way. He running and passing
ability have helped teammates and make her a constant
threat.”
Jovita Byzitter of the Calgary Dinos has won the Student Athlete
Community Service Award.
Second-year Calgary sideline boss Simon Chi was voted Coach of the
Year by his peers after leading the Dinos to a 2-2-0 record and a
playoff spot after the team went 0-4-0 in the team’s first
two seasons.
Willoughby and Moleschi and four other Pronghorns were named to the
all-conference squad, while the Alberta Pandas placed four on the
roster, the Calgary Dinos and UBC two apiece and Victoria one.
Repeat All-stars include Willoughby, Laura Murphy-Burke and Brandi
Van Eeuwen (Leth), Chelsea Guthrie and Louis Chavarie (AB), Abby
Goodwin (UVic) and 2010 CIS Rookie of the Year, UBC’s Megan
Hamm. For 2008 CIS Rookie of the Year Van Eeuwen this is her fourth
All-Star selection.
Following is a list of women’s rugby Awards &
All-Stars:
AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Kelsey Willoughby,
Lethbridge
Rookie of the Year: Kayla Moleschi, Lethbridge
Student Athlete/Community Service: Jovita
Byzitter, Calgary
Coach of the Year: Simon Chi, Calgary
ALL-STARS
Props
Brandi Van Eeuwen, Lethbridge
Samantha Crandell, Calgary
Hooker
Carmen Hobbs, Alberta
Locks
Louise Chavarie, Alberta
Abby Goodwin, Victoria
Back Row
Kelsey Willoughby, Lethbridge
Paniz Pahlavanlu, UBC
Juhee Thompson, Lethbridge
Scrum Half
Megan Hamm, UBC
Fly Half
Laura Murphy-Burke, Lethbridge
Centres
Brynna Walker, Calgary
Chelsea Guthrie, Alberta
Back 3
Kayla Moleschi, Lethbridge
Cassandra Orr, Lethbridge
Alanna Fittes, Alberta
The Canada West champion Lethbridge Pronghorns will now move on to
the CIS championship, November 3-6 at Trent University in
Peterborough, Ont.
www.canadawest.org / www.canadawest.tv
About Canada West Universities Athletic Association
Canada West is consistently the most decorated of the four
conferences in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), winning at
least 10 CIS national titles every year, 1997 to 2010. Comprised of
16 schools from the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta
and British Columbia, Canada West produces numerous major award
winners and Academic All-Canadian student-athletes each year, with
many going on to athletic success around the globe in pro leagues
or events such as the Olympics, Paralympics or Universiade Games.
“cwuaa” on Twitter.
