By: Kathryn Fitzgerald
Consider this a challenge. The 2012 Severn River Honey Badgers--Can-Am Champions and 2nd Place finishers at the USA Rugby Division II National Championships--was the greatest team in the history of our club. I dare you to name a team in the history of Severn River rugby that did more to promote the game, the players, and more importantly the spirit of this game that asks so much of each individual player as they learn to become one solid force. The work of those women that season has reverberated for nearly a decade with more than a few continuing to hold leadership positions within the club, some who just recently hung up their boots, and at least a couple who won’t give up the glory.
In 2012, the Severn River Honey Badgers knew that this was their moment. After a disappointing 2011 season that ended far too quickly for the talented group of women, they made a promise to each other. Scrawled on a napkin in Shooters, the Honey Badgers signed their pledge to make it back to Nationals and do whatever it takes to win the championship. With this sacred pact in hand, the Honey Badgers went to work.
Winning every match in the spring of 2012, their confidence grew and the impossible was beginning to seem within their reach. The addition of Carmen Farmer, a rookie to rugby but an athlete itching to return to the competitive field, seemed to be a missing link in the back line. While she would go on to become an Eagle for Team USA, earning multiple international caps and playing in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, in that season she, like the other backs, was taught how to love the game by women’s team founder and co-captain, Meredith McAlister at Fly-half.
With Candace Coston at the 8 leading the forwards, the pair of outspoken captains were formidable at practice, which led to them being unstoppable come game time. Their fearless pursuit of excellence from not only their teammates, but also themselves, raised the level of everyone’s game and required that we all hold ourselves to a standard of excellence on and off the pitch. The moments of tension at practice between these two competitors could be difficult to understand on nights when some of us were just out to blow off steam from our mundane day jobs, but looking back, the picture is clearer. They were driven. The most driven of any of us and their commitment to the success of the team is one of the top reasons for our success. They led by example. Never letting up, never giving anyone a break. This was essential to us becoming not just a team, but a family.
As the fall steamed ahead with a perfect record remaining intact, Severn was given the chance to host the Regional play-offs and see their rival, the Raleigh Venom, in the first round. The Honey Badgers had considered the Venom their “Unicorn.” A unicorn became the symbol for this unattainable thing that it would take real magic to catch by everyone on that field. When the day arrived, the team was prepared, but antsy. It was a cold, muddy day at the American Legion and the sidelines were packed with fans. From the first whistle, the team played better than they had all season. Facing the formidable Raleigh attack, led by USA Eagle Jamie Burke in the Venom pack, the Honey Badgers turned to the dynamism on their second row for support. Jackie Melsopp and Jenn Fenzel had long been the work horses of the Severn pack. Their energy and upbeat attitude coupled with their ability to find humor at even the most tense situations kept the team level. During one scrum earlier that season, Jenn was frustrated by the ref’s whistle that was malfunctioning to the point where no one could hear when he was trying to blow it. After a failed scrum and the failed whistle to blow it up, Jenn could be heard from the bottom of the pile shouting, “Come on sir, my Flo Rida lips whistle louder than this!” With both sides now chuckling, Jenn caught the opposition off guard. This was her specialty. Similarly, Jackie would find one person on the opposition to focus on and make their life a living hell. She liked to choose the flankers who thought they were hot shit. The Raleigh team had a couple of strong runners, but Jackie made it her job to target one of them for the ENTIRE match. No one can take a hit from Jackie all day whether she is steaming into you with the ball or slamming your body down on the muddy, cold pitch. You will get tired, you will get frustrated, and you will make mistakes. This quieter leadership helped lead the Honey Badgers to one of their greatest victories that day and through to the Championship match in Fort Myers, Florida.
At some point, you, the person reading this, will get tired of me going on and on about how this team that I was lucky enough to be part of and play with was the greatest team in the history of this remarkable club. So here is where I will open it up. I need the members of this team to join me and add their comments to this article. What do you remember about this season? Why should we be considered the greatest team? It’s time to re-capture our #honeybadgerroadtonationals and bring the pride back. Stir the pot. Light the fire for the next group of ruggers. Sure, living in the past is dangerous and pathetic to an extent, but only when you don’t allow room for the next group to use our mistakes and grow for the betterment of their own futures.
DISAGREE? Tell us why? What team in SRRFC club history do you think was the best team and why? Comment below.
