2008 Woodie Awards
Captain Kirk has high hopes for rugby squad
By Ryan Frisco
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: Sports
Senior Michelle Kirk may not be able to trace her rugby roots back to West Chester University, but she has come a long way since arriving here, being crowned the 2007-08 womens rugby team captain.
Michelle actually started her rugby career at Temple University. She was in the weight room one day as a freshman, and the captain of Temple's team came by and asked her if she would be interested in trying out for rugby because they needed players. She went to a few practices and fell in love with the sport.
It wasn't until the beginning of her junior year that she became a Golden Ram. She transferred here last year, really excited to play for West Chester, as they are so well known for their success in women's rugby. Kirk was accepted right away by the players. The team has become over the last two years her best friends. The team as a whole is tight. They are with each other everyday for practice, games, and just to hang out on the weekends. They have all "become best friends, the ones that we can all trust and confide in," according to Kirk.
And with the announcement that Michelle was the captain of the team came a new responsibility.
She said that "it is her duty to take the team as far as possible this year." She noticed that the girls really look up to her now, and because of this, she feels it is her duty to step up her game and always plays her best, being a role model for the other players on the team.
Kirk does really enjoy being captain though.
"It's nice to have people look up to me. Players are always asking me questions and coming to me for help and guidance. They really feel comfortable with me and know that they can talk to me."
Since becoming captain, Kirk has led the Golden Rams to accomplishment after accomplishment, starting in the very first game of the season.
This game, against Eastern Illinois, was the very first NCAA women's rugby game ever played, and West Chester came out on top, 20-19, to become the very first victors in an official NCAA sanctioned game.
Michelle actually started her rugby career at Temple University. She was in the weight room one day as a freshman, and the captain of Temple's team came by and asked her if she would be interested in trying out for rugby because they needed players. She went to a few practices and fell in love with the sport.
It wasn't until the beginning of her junior year that she became a Golden Ram. She transferred here last year, really excited to play for West Chester, as they are so well known for their success in women's rugby. Kirk was accepted right away by the players. The team has become over the last two years her best friends. The team as a whole is tight. They are with each other everyday for practice, games, and just to hang out on the weekends. They have all "become best friends, the ones that we can all trust and confide in," according to Kirk.
And with the announcement that Michelle was the captain of the team came a new responsibility.
She said that "it is her duty to take the team as far as possible this year." She noticed that the girls really look up to her now, and because of this, she feels it is her duty to step up her game and always plays her best, being a role model for the other players on the team.
Kirk does really enjoy being captain though.
"It's nice to have people look up to me. Players are always asking me questions and coming to me for help and guidance. They really feel comfortable with me and know that they can talk to me."
Since becoming captain, Kirk has led the Golden Rams to accomplishment after accomplishment, starting in the very first game of the season.
This game, against Eastern Illinois, was the very first NCAA women's rugby game ever played, and West Chester came out on top, 20-19, to become the very first victors in an official NCAA sanctioned game.
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