It only took one practice, not even a game, for Audrey Marcotte to get hooked on rugby.
"I got to tackle someone and I was sold. Right there! Tackling," said Audrey.
That high school practice led to regular play, and an amateur athletic career she continued at Champlain College, in addition to playing for the St. Lambert Locks in a senior league -- even though she was just 17.
Her coach made arrangements to give her special permission to play in an older age group.
"She watched me play at Champlain and from there she asked if I wanted to play something a little more challenging and I was for sure down," said Audrey.
Steven Sheets says Audrey is not the largest player on the field but she has a physical presence that cannot be denied.
"She is intense. She is a very dynamic player," said Sheets. "She's not the quickest player on the field but she makes up for it in field smarts."
Finishing her first year at McGill University Audrey has been named Rookie of the Year, which is quite an accomplishment considering that first practice was only three years ago.
"McGill coach John Lavery is a great coach and he really helped me pick up my game," said Audrey. "I really learned a lot from him."
"Rookie of the Year is great for confidence and to encourage me to continue the sport at a higher level."
Audrey is thinking about trying out for the national team -- but not at the Olympic level, since that variant of the sport relies on seven-a-side instead of the customary 15.
The world cup, now that is a different matter.
"She is a diamond, a diamond in the rough," said Sheets.
If you know a great amateur athlete in your community, email Randy today and they may end up being profiled as one of Randy's Rookies!
