Horns rugby signs trio
By Lethbridge Herald on April 13, 2019.
Dale Woodard
Lethbridge Herald
The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s rugby team announced
three new recruits Friday afternoon.
And Horns fans may be getting a glimpse of the newest trio right off
the bat when the 2019 Canada West season fires up in the fall.
At an announcement at the 1st Choice Savings Centre, the Pronghorns
unveiled their three central Alberta recruits in Jada Holtkamp,
Brooklyn Perry and Gabrielle Sever, all members of the Red Deer Titans
club program.
The 2019 Pronghorns are poised to bring back many familiar faces, but
head coach Neil Langevin said the three newest recruits may get the
chance to make their mark right from the get-go.
“All three hail from central Alberta and all three have provincial
team experience,” said Langevin. “All three will have a really
good chance on a veteran group next year to challenge for a spot. But
their future is obviously down the road in their second, third, fourth
and fifth years. It’s going to be really positive. Each of them has a
different skill set.
“I’ve been following them for about two years. Central Alberta has
done a really good job of developing young women to play rugby, so
we’re really looking forward to that.”
In addition to playing with the Titans, Rimbey product Holtkamp plays
with the Rimbey Spartans and as part of the provincial program with
the Prairie Wolf Pack.
“Jada is a really special player,” said Langevin. “She’s a lock
and very good in line outs and is very knowledgeable of the game and
has a very bright future here.”
Holtkamp was a member of a provincial championship with the U18 Red
Deer Titans and a National Championship with the U18 Wolf Pack.
She now takes her game to southern Alberta.
“I am beyond excited. I feel like it’s a great opportunity for me
to learn, and for my studies, and to be a part of this team,” said
Holtkamp. “Overall, I like the city of Lethbridge. It feels a lot
like home. It’s not super big and being from a small town it gives me
a sense of comfort. Plus, the university is a really good school and
I’ve gotten to know some of the people from the team and their
culture really draws me in.”
Perry, a five-foot-four scrum half/back from Halkirk, is a teammate of
Holtkamp with both the Titans and Wolf Pack and plays her high school
rugby with William E. Hay Stettler Secondary.
“She’s a very skilled player, her passing skills are phenomenal and
she is going to figure well in both 15s and sevens,” said Langevin.
Like Holtkamp, Perry likes the environment she’s coming into.
“I love the team culture that Neil has been giving to us,” she
said. “And just coming to our interview, hanging out with the girls,
they really have a positive attitude and are really welcoming. It
seems like a family. So I’m really excited to be a part of that.”
And perhaps contribute immediately.
“Especially playing at such a high level, it gives me the confidence
that he believes in me that I can compete at that level,” said
Perry. “That gives me a lot of excitement. I’m a little bit nervous
about that, but I’m more excited.”
Sever joins the Horns from Rocky Mountain House and West Central High
School.
“Gabby is more of a utility player and will play hooker for us,”
said Langevin. “She brings a combination of skill, size and rugby
nuance.”
Like the rest of her fellow recruits Friday, familiarity with her new
surroundings won’t be an issue.
I’ve already met two friends I know, one from Rocky Mountain House
and one from Lacombe, I played rugby with her,” said Sever. “I
feel coming down here already feels like family, so I’m excited.”
As for getting to step into the lineup right away, Sever looked
forward to the possibility, but preferred to look a little more long
term.
“That would be awesome, but at the same time I’m looking to improve
every day,” she said. “We’ll see how it goes, but I’m just
looking to develop.”
The Pronghorn recruiting class for the 2019 season sits at eight
recruits with the three new additions joining Mackenzie Hamm, Tess
Domes, Emmalena Parks, Sawyer Sprague and Janelle Agot.
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