NEWS: Gee-Gees collect nine all-stars, Claire Gallagher is Rookie of the Year

The nationally number one ranked Gee-Gees women's rugby team had ten members recognized by the RSEQ today as the conference announced its 2018 All-Stars and Major Award winners. Claire Gallagher leads the way as the conference's Rookie of the Year, with five Gee-Gees on the first all-star team and four on the second team.

Gallagher, a Health Sciences student from Caledon East, Ont., scored ten coverts for Ottawa this season emerging as a solid second kicking option for the Gee-Gees. The lefty attended Ottawa's winter recruitment weekend in January of 2018, where Gee-Gees head coach Jen Boyd says, "I was immediately impressed with her attack skills. She's shown this season that she is also a great defender and her role at 12 and 13 has been pivotal in our team defensive success."

Indeed, Ottawa had the lowest points against in all of U SPORTS this season with just 51 points allowed in seven matches (7.3 per game).

The Gee-Gees 2018 RSEQ All-Stars are:

FIRST TEAM:

Samantha Alli – 4th year centre, Health Sciences, Caledon, Ont. Three-time All-Star.

Emily Babcock – 5th year back row, Criminology, Belleville, Ont. Four-time All-Star.

Taylor Newman – 3rd year wing, Social Sciences, Ottawa, Ont. First time All-Star.

Alexandra Ondo – 3rd year back, International Development and Globalization, Matane, Que. Two-time All-Star.

Tori Wyman – 4th year second row, Human Kinetics, Metcalfe, Ont. First time All-Star.

SECOND TEAM:

Michaela Haley – 4th year second row, Human Kinetics, Ottawa, Ont. First time RSEQ All-Star, Two-time All-Star (AUS)

Paulina Karwowski – 5th year hooker, Accounting, Ottawa, Ont. First time All-Star.

Maya Montiel – 2nd year prop, General Studies, Dieppe, NB, First time All-Star.

Emma Wade – 1st year wing, Human Kinetics, Burlington, Ont. First time All-Star.

The Gee-Gees now look ahead to the postseason which begins with an RSEQ semifinal this upcoming Friday against the University of Sherbrooke at Matt Anthony Field with a spot at the U SPORTS national championship tournament available for the winner. The semifinal will kickoff at 5 p.m. and will be webcast on OUA.tv with tickets available at tickets.geegees.ca