B2 n SPORTS THE BRANDON SUN n WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2 2019 » MIKE JONES TEAM OF THE YEAR WINNER Chancellors won’t be denied after magic run BY THOMAS FRIESEN It’s January, which means the Minnedosa Chancellors rugby team is kicking off its pre-season training. You read that right. If you wonder what it takes to become a provincial cham- pion, look no further than this group, which has taken home back-to-back high school pro- vincial titles in varsity girls’ 15s rugby. They also captured the Westman High School Rugby sevens crown with a 15-1 re- cord, playing as the Rivers Rams. The team was simply domi- nant all year and went unde- feated through the 15s season, beating the Dauphin Clippers in both the Westman High School Rugby final and the provincial title game. The group, which featured players from Minnedosa, Riv- ers, Erickson and Elton, is The Brandon Sun’s 45th an- nual Mike Jones team of the year, the first rugby squad to take home the award. The powerhouse squad was a three-plus-year project, and a testament to the work ethic The Minnedosa Chancellors rugby team have won back-to-back high school provincial titles in varsity girls’ 15s rugby. They are shown posing with the banner of the girls who first took to the at Crocus Plains in June. (Submitted) sport in Grade 9. Back then, head coach Kat Muirhead didn’t expect these PAST WINNERS titles to come the way they did. “I don’t think I thought un- 2018 — Minnedosa Chancellors/ 1997 — Neepawa Farmers, baseball defeated. In Grade 9 you could Rivers Rams, varsity girls’ 1996 — Brandon Wheat Kings, see a lot of talent,” she said. rugby hockey, and Brandon “When most of them were 2017 — Neelin Spartans, boys University Bobcats, men’s in Grade 10, you could feel it volleyball and basketball basketball coming. I still don’t think we 2016 — Brandon Wheat Kings, 1995 — Brandon Wheat Kings, could see undefeated, but the hockey hockey talent was evident. 2015 — Lois Fowler team, curling 1994 — Brandon Cloverleafs, “Sometimes it’s like the stars 2014 — Paige Lawrence & Rudi baseball align, and the last few years Swiegers, figure skating 1993 — Maureen Bonar team, have been so.” 2013 — Brandon University curling Jordan McLeod was one of Bobcats, men’s volleyball 1992 — Boissevain Broncos, boys the key players on both cham- 2012 — Neelin Spartans, girls basketball pionship teams. She bought volleyball 1991 — Maxine Heritage team, into what Muirhead was build- 2011 — Brandon University curling ing right from the start. Bobcats, men’s volleyball 1990 — Duane Edwards team, “My Grade 9 year, we didn’t 2010 — Brandon Tri-Star Storm, curling make finals, we didn’t go to women’s volleyball 1989 — Brandon University provincials. We weren’t bad, 2009 — Westman Wildcats, hockey Bobcats, men’s basketball 2008 — Crocus Plainsmen, girls 1988 — Brandon University but we weren’t at the top, and basketball and volleyball Bobcats, men’s basketball that’s where we wanted to be,” 2007 — Brandon University 1987 — Brandon University McLeod said. “From there, we Bobcats, men’s Bobcats, men’s basketball just took off. Instead of just basketball, and Brandon 1986 — Vincent Massey Vikings, saying ‘We’re OK with getting Cloverleafs, baseball girls basketball third,’ we wanted the top spot. Jordan McLeod of the Minnedosa Chancellors fights through the tackle attempt of the Dauphin 2006 — Terry McNamee team, 1985 — Vincent Massey Vikings, We put in a lot of practice, a lot Clippers’ Karlee Ushkowski to score a try during the provincial high school girls’ rugby champi- curling girls basketball of recruiting and growing the onship game at Crocus Plains on June 2, 2018. (Chris Jaster/The Brandon Sun) 2005 — Crocus Plainsmen, hockey 1984 — Brandon University team. 2004 — Brandon AAA Midget Bobcats, men’s basketball “I’d rather start from the cial championship game, they training. for Minnedosa knows how to Wheat Kings, hockey 1983 — Mabel Mitchell team, bottom, than come in already knew exactly why they went “Even if it’s raining in the make a good spin pass, and I 2003 — Club West Rage, girls curling winning.” through what they did. spring time, we’re still out think some other teams lack volleyball 1982 — Mel Logan team, curling Since it’s a sport athletes “We know how to play in there. It’s crazy, but it’s worth it that. We go so in depth in 2002 — Crocus Plainsmen, girls 1981 — Cec Leach/Petey Two, usually take to later than oth- that weather, but you never once we win,” she said. “Even everything we do and work volleyball retrieving ers, Muirhead makes up for know what to expect in rug- though we’d beat Dauphin be- through progressions, and do- 2001 — Mike McEwen team, Linda 1980 — Brandon University lost time by starting over three by,” McLeod said. “When it’s fore, we never took them light- ing the little things obviously Van Daele team, curling Bobcats, men’s basketball months before the season. wet outside, you play a tighter ly. A second provincial cham- adds up.” 2000 — Brandon University 1979 — Brandon Wheat Kings, Most of those training ses- game because you can’t make pionship felt really good.” After claiming the 15s crown Bobcats, men’s basketball hockey sions happen in the gym, but the passes as far. Robinson, Wakelam, Wood, twice, the girls knew they 1999 — Crocus Plainsmen, boys 1978 — Riverside Canucks, the girls practise out in the “We were soaked. The try- McLeod, Miriam Lade and would have a target on their volleyball baseball 1998 — Lois Fowler team, curling; 1977 — Brandon Wheat Kings, cold as well. Those “snow line was muddy and we were Tonielle Bachewich were backs for the sevens season Mike McEwen team, hockey covered in mud, but we knew named WHSR all-stars for the with the Rams in the fall, even touch” sessions are important curling; Lisa Roy team, 1976 — Deloraine Royals, hockey though they graduated seven for Muirhead. how to adjust our game.” 15s season. curling; Doug Armour 1975 — Vincent Massey Vikings, “Those are a lot of fun. You This time, Minnedosa left no Wood said Robinson and players. team, curling; Rob Fowler girls basketball play in everything but light- doubt it would complete the Bachewich were instrumen- “Every player on that team, team, curling 1974 — Don Barr team, curling ning, so you got to go,” she perfect season. tal in both the team’s provin- they were just awesome. So said. “You have to practise in Sadie Wood barely broke the cial 15s championships, and coachable,” Muirhead said. the same conditions, so that try-line 12 minutes into the also acknowledged the entire “We graduated a lot of talented the Souris Sabres. Rivers still Muirhead has noticed mas- definitely helps the team pre- game to put the Chancellors squad’s efforts throughout the players but still had a lot left.” claimed the season series, sive strides in the quality of pare mentally and physically.” ahead. McLeod broke the lead season. McLeod knew she’d have to taking the first two matchups rugby in the region. For their first major test, the wide open with a pair of tries “They worked really well to- step up. 10-5 and 33-10. “It’s absolutely amazing. Chancellors battled scorching less than two minutes apart, gether. They were a key part “That was a huge hit to lose They had the sevens game I can remember playing and heat in the WHSR final against and Ashley Robinson convert- of the success on our team,” (Bachewich and Robinson). down to a science. losing 65-5. I’ve had those the Clippers. ed both. Wood ran her second Wood said. “They were great They’re both fast and never “(Muirhead) utilized our years,” Muirhead said. “Most Minnedosa didn’t get off to try in late in the opening half leaders, and on the field they quit. I had a hard time keeping stronger players better for nice of the kids that play rugby, a great start — Dauphin led to go into the break up 24-0. would push us to be better and up with them,” she said. plays and the rest broke open they just love it and you always on three occasions in the first “We knew all throughout, make great plays all the time. The Grade 12 forward had seams so they could run the instill ‘it doesn’t matter the half — but the Chancellors got we had the confidence that we “There definitely are people no problems keeping up with field,” Wood said. outcome, you just learn and stronger as the game went on were going to win,” Wood said. who work super hard to win the rest of the league. With a The Rams outscored their go on.’” and didn’t fade. “We just had to push through those scrums but don’t get the talented and deep lineup, the opponents 447-47, pitching And the learning for next They pulled away to win 41- and work hard and that’s what glory like the backs who run Rams took Westman by storm. shutouts in half their contests. season is about to start. Wood 19. we did. it up and score the tries, but Rivers eliminated the chance For McLeod, a Rivers na- and McLeod are back to de- “Fitness was huge,” Muir- “In the second half, we kind everyone played a key part in for anyone else to challenge tive, winning with her home- fend the title one more time. head said. “It was close in the of knew we had it.” everything.” for the crown quickly.