Hunninck, Russell Praised as Brock Badgers Rugby Season Ends
Elizabeth Hunninck - Photo by Chris Marvell
The reach and success of Chatham-Kent rugby players is continuing to grow as the young sport develops locally. From multiple players being selected to represent Team Ontario at Nationals this past summer, to players like Elizabeth Hunninck and Jaleesa Russell continuing their education and athletic careers at the University level, the Chatham-Kent rugby scene continues to produce success stories.
Both ladies played OUA rugby for the Brock Badgers this season, culminating in a last minute Bronze Medal game 17-14 loss to Quenns University this past weekend.
Jaleesa Russell - Photo by Chris Marvell
According to Brock head coach Peter Hughes, both Chatham-Kent rugby players contributed to the Badgers’ success this season, and will be counted on in the future as their program develops.
“Liz Hunninck, in her second year with the program, showed tremendous improvement on her defense this season while continuing to show her speed on the offensive side as well,” said Hughes about the Chatham resident, who is studying Child and Youth Studies. “Her high energy and positive attitude is a great addition.”
“Jaleesa Russell, the newest addition to the Badger team, stepped right into a starting position but dealing with an injury was sidelined at the end of the season,” Hughes explained about the Blenheim native who studies Therapeutic Recreation at Brock. “Jaleesa stepped out of her comfort zone as a flanker and showed her athleticism by contributing as a winger at the university level.”
After a summer of recovery and development playing for the Kent Havoc in Chatham-Kent, Hughes expects Russell to be a valuable asset to the Brock Badgers next fall,
“Jaleesa possesses a lot of athletic ability and will definitly develop into an impact player next season.”
Brock finished 2-3 in the regular season defeating the University of Western Ontario and Wilfrid Laurier University.
Coach Hughes stated the girls’ ability to jump directly to the University Varsity level is a testiment to the quality high school and club programs being run in Chatham-Kent and Southwestern Ontario, and that he is excited for what each of these young athletes will give to the Brock rugby program in the coming seasons,
“I look forward to their continued contributions to the Badger program.”