Photo: Jackie Finlan
Central Washington University has spent the previous two years finding the right student-athletes who would embrace and promote the Wildcats’ way. Strong role models nurtured an environment that welcomed and integrated new players, and some promising results against DI Elite compatriots indicated that things were coming together this season. The Covid-19 pandemic halted the DI Elite season before it began, but head coach Trevor Richards is optimistic about the direction in which the Wildcats are heading.
“We were definitely feeling good about this season,” Richards asserted. “We acknowledge that we are still the underdogs but we showed that we are a dangerous team and can play with anyone. A lot of our mission this year was to create a sense of belief within the individual players and subsequently the team as a whole. That belief was taking hold and the change from last year was tangible.”
The first important game of the season occurred in Glendale, Colo., when Central Washington and Life University contested a DI Elite friendly in conjunction with WPL nationals.
“Our game against Life in November showed that we were coming at this season differently,” Richards reflected on the 46-32 decision. “Despite missing 3-4 starters, training for less than a month, and only making one conversion in what was a very back-and-forth match, we were mostly happy with what we put out there. Undoubtedly, Life would be even better but a rematch in the [April national] semifinals would likely have been one of the most exciting games of the season.”
After winter break, Central Washington played the Seattle Saracens and then traveled to Missouri to play two-time defending DI Elite national champion Lindenwood University.
“Lindenwood is still the juggernaut that everyone is chasing but we were relatively pleased with our performance against them,” Richards reviewed the 53-29 loss. “We showed that we can score tries but the lack of consistency in our defensive launch hurt us. With that said, the players bought in to the necessary changes and we would’ve loved another shot at Lindenwood. We’re in this to play the best and our team was bought in, deepening their understanding of our attacking and defensive systems, and were fitter than they ever have been. Playoffs would have been interesting!”
There is some exciting, young talent in Central Washington’s ranks, and the Ellensburg program has recruited top-notch high schoolers in Kai Brandt-Templeton, Abby Fearey, Tessa Hann, Emma McCabe, Abby Nichols and Zonaye Tupuola for fall 2020. They’ll join a team that has righted itself after an adjustment period, and coach Richards was eager to call out three graduating seniors who were instrumental to the team’s progress but do the work of unsung heroes.
“Hannah Lewandowski suffered an ACL tear at the end of 2017 and subsequently fought back to fitness to play at the end of last season,” Richards praised the All-American front row who learned the game with Rainier (Wash.). “This stood to be a huge year for Hannah as she looked to cement herself as one of the most dominant props in college rugby. Hannah’s technical knowledge, physicality, and ball skills make her a multifaceted threat. When you combine these strengths with her unending generosity and kindness, you see that Hannah is truly a fantastic teammate, rugby player, and human being.”
Also in the pack, Bianca Ortiz-Pallen had her final season cut short. The Bishop O’Dowd (Calif.) product does work in the second and back rows, and was Central Washington’s Forward of the Year in 2018-19.
“She is arguably one of the most underrated players in the college game and I assure you that every team that plays against Bianca will remember her,” Richards enthused. “Bianca is fearless in contact, an absolute nightmare at the breakdown, and is strong enough and technically sound enough to play anywhere in the forward pack.
“As our Vice Captain, she has embodied what it means to lead from the front,” the coach continued. “Bianca has put her body on the line, day-in and day-out, season after season, and we have never questioned her commitment to our program and her teammates. It is impossible not to be impressed by her.”
One can find Jaida Kafovalu at hooker or back row, and she’s part of a strong Sacramento Amazons connection with Central Washington.
“When I was playing in high school, my coaches Fesi Green, [current coach] Koloa Tausinga and Tueni Samate had the biggest impact on my game,” Kafovalu reflected on 10 years playing rugby. “Their coaching and lessons had a huge impact on how I play and I’ve carried their style of play throughout my entire college career. They’ve taught me a lot about the game and instilled how important keeping strong culture is. They still support me until this day in my rugby career and I will always be thankful for all that they’ve done for me.”
When Kafovalu reflected on her four years at Central Washington, she acknowledged lots of growth – in style of play, culture – and coach Richards’ focus on mastering the details, “which made a huge impact on how to get our performance right,” the senior noted. She considers herself a “strong, low-key” player who pumps everything into her role on the pitch.
“Jaida has firmly established her status as a CWU legend,” Richards highlighted the power forward. “Her growth and maturity in the last two years are tangible, but she has never lost sight of who she truly is: a magnetic personality that makes everyone else around her better. Jaida has risen to become a key leader on this team. She speaks up when needed, gets stuck into her work, and is completely uncompromising at the contact point; all the while flashing her infectious smile and showing everyone how it is done.”
Kafovalu helped fortify the team bond and formed special connections with Ortiz-Pallen, Michel Navarro and Mikayla Roberts.
“We’ve been friends since we moved to CWU, all California natives, and all competed against each other in high school. Now we all currently live together,” Kafovalu explained. “Although we have different positions on the field, I know that I can trust them and we keep each other accountable on and off the field. I know I can go to them for rugby stuff, school things, and even life hardships.”
Kafovalu will sort out post-graduation rugby options but is currently eying grad school with the hopes of attaining a masters in social welfare policy.
“I think our CWU program is headed to great things in the future,” Kafovalu closed. “We have been consistent and been growing ever since I started, so we can only go up from here. We have a good program, strong leaders on the team, and a great coaching staff that will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Richards indicated that Central Washington is bidding farewell to several highlight-worthy players, but the aforementioned often go overlooked despite their big contributions to game day and beyond.
“While it’s disappointing to not play the rest of the season, the health of our community and country take precedence; this is bigger than anyone person or organization,” Richards also closed. “If nothing else, we have laid a solid foundation to build off for next season.”
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