Cougars during last year’s DI spring playoffs. /// Photo: Jackie Finlan •
However spring 2017 turns out for Washington State, it’s going to be a memorable season. The buzz began in the fall, when 20 veterans returned and 10 promising newcomers booted up for second-year coach Christy O’Shea. In tandem, the Cougars’ proposal for a spring break rugby tour of London was approved by the university, making it the first Washington State sports club to travel internationally.
The fall was dedicated to practices and fundraising. On the pitch, the team trained 4-5 times per week, and ample numbers made sessions easier for the coach, and more energetic and intense for the players. O’Shea was able to build on the systems he introduced last year.
“I concentrated on people really defining a position – not having someone play two or three positions. If you’re a hooker, you play hooker … if you’re a center, play center. That way they can focus on their game and what they’re required to do,” O’Shea said.
But there were challenges, mostly associated with the restructured DI Pacific Mountain North. Instead of a split schedule, the four-team league would now contest its six-week regular season in the spring.
“There was some frustration,” O’Shea said of three months without a competitive game. “They wanted to see where all this hard work was going.”
When the league opened at the end of January, the Cougars put down a 72-17 win over Oregon. Last Saturday, the Pullman side down Oregon State 97-12. (Current standings below)
“The girls were hungry to take all the hard work they put in last semester and show it on the field,” O’Shea said. “Everything seems to be kicking at the moment and that’s because of high numbers at practice and freshmen pushing for places.”
Senior prop Josie Markoff is the forwards captain and drives the pack’s agenda, while junior president Monae Hendrickson serves as backs leader. They lean on vets like Sara Young, Gaby Drllevich, Maddie and Mikayla Holmes, Jill Fejes – all of whom voice that championship tone for the younger classes.
Watch for players like Savanna Taylor and Kristen Immel, who are battling for the starting hooker spot; Meg Padget and Asha Johnson, who have punched up the back line; Jess Kiley reinforcing the second row; and Brooke Singleton, who’s pushing starting scrumhalf Alex Denzinger for time at the halfback position.
Washington (1-1) is next and will complete the first half of the home-and-away league. The Huskies have a solid roster and have also added to its coaching staff. Ultimately, the Cougars want to perform better than last year, when the team lost to UC Davis in the spring quarterfinals and won its consolation match against UC San Diego. The spring break trip could help in that regard, as it falls just before the conference playoffs. Aside from the unforgettable experience of a rugby tour, the Cougars will test itself against international competition.
The trip includes two matches – the first against Blackheath, one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world, the second against a combined Middlesex University and London Saracens academy side. The latter will take place in Allianz Park, the 10,000-seat home to the Saracens. Additionally, the team will attend the England vs. Scotland women’s Six Nations match.
“The girls are living in each other’s pockets,” O’Shea said of the team’s momentum. “There’s a great buzz around the squad. Team spirit is high and energetic.”
- If you want to donate to Washington State’s London rugby tour, then click here.
- Where was Washington State a year ago? Read more.
- Curious about college conferences and how they all fit together? Click here.