Carleton was well-represented on the international stage this summer by two members of the Ravens rugby team as Team Canada played two friendlies against the United States.
Ravens rugby player and third-year journalism student Ellen Spannagel lined up for the Canada under-20 (U20) women’s rugby team this August.
She was one of 24 players picked as part of the national squad and played the wing position.
Upon hearing the news that she had been picked for the team, Spannagel said she found it hard to take in at first.
“I didn’t check my email till after 10 at night, when I got home from work, but it all happened so quickly,” Spannagel said.
“As soon as I got the letter, I had to let them know the next day if I would accept a position to play, because they have so many people on a waitlist. I had to get the okay from work but yeah, I started crying.”
Joining Spannagel was Patrick Thompson, head coach for Carleton’s rugby team, who served as an assistant coach with the national team.
The pair was part of a Canadian team that played two games against the United States in Ottawa earlier this month at Gees-Gees Field.
Canada captured both games against the U.S., winning the first 45-24 and the second 58-12.
Even though Spannagel said she was shocked by her selection to the team, she found that her experience playing for Canada was a whole different level and pace than what she was used to.
“It was really amazing to be able to play with players of such high skill levels. The difference between U Sports or club rugby and [the national team] is polarizing. Whenever the coaches asked us to do a drill, the players were so talented that it would just happen,” Spannagel said.
But, Spannagel said that there are similarities between what she experienced with this year’s Canadian national team and the Ravens rugby team.
Spannagel said that life as a Raven helped prepare her for playing on the national team.
“The incredible drive, commitment and perseverance you need to play a varsity sport, and the incredible ways you get to know your teammates as individuals, [these are things] I’ve picked up at Carleton,” Spannagel said.
“And that set me up to be able to play in that team and those relationships you can build as a team.”
Fresh off her time spent representing her country, Spannagel said that she is ready for her third season with Carleton.
Despite failing to qualify for the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) playoffs for the seventh straight year last season, the Ravens finished with their highest point tally since the team’s inception in 2012.
Spannagel said the team is turning its attention to this fall’s upcoming season.
“Coming back to Carleton out of the U20 team and seeing the high level rugby can be played at, it’s just really exciting to get into a fresh season and be able to come back to my home team,” Spannagel said.
The Ravens rugby team will begin their pre-season on the road on Aug. 24 against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.
Their regular season will kick off on Sept. 2, when they line up against Bishop’s University at Carleton’s MNP Park.
Photo by Luke Carrol
