Concordia’s Sydney Theriault, a fifth-year flyhalf from Calgary, has been named the outstanding player in the Quebec university women’s rugby league and is one of three Stingers named to the conference all-star team.
“Syd is the ultimate team player,” says Concordia head coach Graeme McGravie. “She is our most dedicated player on and off the field.”
Theriault, an English Literature major, came to Concordia as a basketball player but switched to rugby after her first year. She has worked hard to develop her rugby skills, earning respect along the way and all-star and all-Canadian honors in 2006.
Joining Theriault on the Quebec all-star team are Stinger teammates Cathy Nichols and Claire Hortop. Nichols, a native of Morin Heights, Que., is a second-year flanker/No. 8, while Hortop of Mississauga, Ont. is a rookie second row player.
Ali Olshefsky, a third-year flanker, was chosen as the Quebec nominee for the inaugural CIS Student-Athlete Community Service Award in women’s rugby.
Finally, McGravie was selected as the Quebec conference Coach of the Year. He guided the Stingers to a 4-1-1 win-loss-tie record, finishing in third place in the six-team league. His Stingers upset the McGill Martlets 10-0 in the semifinals and will meet the Laval Rouge et Or on Saturday in the championship game.
