RUGBY: Kent pair brace for rugby overseas

  • BY Wire Service
  • Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:26pm
  • Sports
Lisa Henneman

Lisa Henneman

They’re separated by years, but not talent.

One has grown into the veteran, the captain of her team, while the other is a young rookie trying to make a name for herself.

But when it comes to their individual futures on the rugby pitch, one thing remains common and distinctly clear for both Lisa Henneman and Katie Humphreys: They’re as bright as ever.

So bright, in fact, that in May the two Kent natives were named to the USA’s U20 national team. To put that accomplishment in perspective, Henneman and Humphreys aren’t just the only two players from Kent on the team, but the only two players from the state of Washington.

And it doesn’t end there. The squad essentially is comprised of the 25 best under-20 high school, college and club players in the nation and includes members for Wisconsin, Maryland and Virginia, among other places.

Henneman and Humphreys are two of the nine West Coast-based players on the team.

“This is a big deal,” said Humphreys, a senior-to-be at Kentwood High and Kent Crusaders standout.

For Humphreys, labeling the honor of playing for team USA might be an understatement since, at 16, she is the youngest player on a team stacked with college-experienced players.

But Henneman, 20, has been there and done that. In fact, when Henneman was 16, she also was named to the U-20 team, though the accomplishment remains a rarity.

“If they have the physical attributes (when they’re young), you have to take them,” said USA coach Bryn Chivers, a native of Wales who now calls South Dakota home. “Lisa and Katie both had those attributes.”

The two Kent players will get a chance to put those attributes on center stage from July 9-18, when Team USA goes overseas to compete in the U-20 Nations Cup, which will be played on the Brunel University campus in London. The tournament will be made up of the best U-20 teams in the world.

The United States opens play against Wales on July 9, followed by England on the 12th and Canada on the 15th.

The fact that Henneman and Humphreys are among the best of the best in the nation is no surprise to Kent Crusaders coach Rex Norris.

“So far, (Lisa) is the best player I’ve ever coached,” said Norris, who is better known as Kentwood’s football coach, but also has 14 years of rugby coaching experience. “She is in the top percentage of athletes I have been around, guy or girl.”

The numbers Henneman posted while playing with the Crusaders from her freshman through senior years in high school would indicate as much. She owns the program’s record for tries in a career with 94. And it’s not even close — the next player on that list comes in at 56.

But rugby — and Team USA — is hardly about scoring for the former Kentlake product. It’s about leading a group of girls who, during the next month, will become like sisters.

POINTING THE WAY

At the center of it all is Henneman, the team’s captain who plays fly-half. The position is the equivalent of a quarterback on the football field. As the fly-half, Henneman is the team’s ultimate decision maker and essentially dictates the tempo of the game.

Rugby also allows Henneman the opportunity to unleash her aggressive nature.

“I am naturally an aggressive player in sports,” said Henneman, who also played soccer while at Kentlake. “Rugby has everything for me. And, as I’ve been going through it, it has given me the opportunities to do other things.”

Other things, indeed. Henneman recently completed her associate of arts degree at Green River Community College and is in the process of transferring to Penn State, where she will play rugby next fall. Penn State has the top-ranked women’s rugby team in the nation.

Chivers has been impressed with Henneman for a long time.

“She has always been a thinking rugby player,” the USA coach said. “An intelligent player. She carries herself well on and off the field.”

When Henneman takes that field in England, she will officially become the team leader in caps, which in rugby terms, is an appearance for a select team, such as a school, county or international team. Henneman, who has seven caps, is currently tied in the category with two other players.

However, next month’s tournament isn’t about setting the team’s caps record. As the team’s captain, Henneman has made it her responsibility to take players like Humphreys under her wing.

“I’ve already told her, she’s there for a reason and not to let her age play in as a factor,” Henneman said. “She’s one of the best of the best. It’s not about age, it’s about what she brings to the team.”

TRADING HOOPS FOR SCRUMS

And Humphreys, who stands a shade taller than six feet, brings plenty.

One of the most athletically gifted females at Kentwood, Humphreys was a standout basketball player until giving the sport up before her freshman year in high school.

Why would a 6-footer give up basketball?

Well, like Henneman, Humphreys has an aggressive side.

“I played basketball until the eighth grade, then I got bored of it,” Humphreys said. “There wasn’t enough contact. I couldn’t really do much on the court. Rugby is so much fun. I am never mad or stressed out because I can go to the rugby field and tackle people.”

Humphreys plays the lock position on the rugby field, which is perfectly suited for her tall stature. The lock is the player who is thrown up in the air during scrums. Being one of the tallest girls on the field is critical to the position.

“She is the engine of the scrum,” Norris said.

One that may not have the years under her belt of her Kent counterpart, but does have the talent.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Dayna Vi (Jr.) wrestling and Brandon Tagle (Jr.) basketball take home this weeks awards.

Kentwood’s Jessica Ajayi dribbles the ball up the floor. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood girls basketball drops fourth straight

Team falls to Riverside for first time since 2017. Head Coach Jordan Nero: ‘We’ll find a way, we always do.’

t
Hundreds participate in Kent Christmas Rush run/walk

Seattle’s Nathan Morrisson wins 10K; Kent’s Travis Houser captures 5K

Graphic provided by KSD.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentridge

Genesis Miller (Flag Football) and Gio Moimoi (Basketball) take home this weeks award.

Veronica Garcia gives an interview after winning the 2A girls 400-meter final at the 2024 Washington State Championships at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma. (Screenshot from Runnerspace.com video)
Proposals seek new rules for transgender athletes in WA schools

Other proposals target student-athlete transfer rules and girls flag football.

Tyanna Sims drives to the basket against Auburn in the loss. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Trojans sweep aside Kentwood in doubleheader

Both boys and girls basketball teams lose to Auburn in NPSL opening play.

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.