La Conner grad gets kicks playing college rugby

A La Conner High School alum is tackling a full college course load while spending several hours each week at the rugby pitch.

Maizie McCollum, a 2019 graduate, is president and forwards captain of the Eastern Washington University Banshees, the school’s women’s rugby club team. A golfer and basketball player at La Conner, she discovered rugby at the university’s campus in Cheney.

“I’ve always known about rugby, but it wasn’t until my freshman year at EWU that I started playing competitively,” McCollum told the Weekly News.

“I wanted something fun to do, make friends and be active,” she said, “It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

McCollum has literally thrown herself head-first into the action. She plays the loosehead prop position, one of two forwards who support the hooker during scrums in which opponents clash in close contact minus helmets and pads.

She said she has always been involved in many sports and has found a new passion for rugby since she began playing.

“Playing the game,” McCollum explained, “brings an adrenaline rush like you’ve never had. It’s basically 80 straight minutes of excitement. Anyone can play and once you do, you are part of a family that’s all about respect and having a great time. The game is so technical and it’s like nothing else. I love it.”

McCollum’s job is to push against the opposing team’s scrum and be a strong presence in the first line of both offensive and defensive plays.

“Since I’m the forwards captain,” McCollum said, “I’m always trying to keep my pack in order.”

The beauty of rugby, said McCollum, is that a player’s height and weight is not a prerequisite to success as is the case in other sports.

“All shapes and sizes are welcome and useful in rugby,” she said.

McCollum points out that rugby requires a lot of stamina for running and tackling. Learning the correct tackling techniques are also important because “ruggers” don’t wear football-style protective gear.

“Always being able to tackle anyone on the field is a necessity,” said McCollum, “so working on the form and force of every move you make is what all our training goes into.”

The Banshees’ most formidable foe the last couple years has been COVID-19.

“Since the pandemic began our numbers decreased quickly so we haven’t played many matches this year,” McCollum said, “but the group has grown so much in terms of skill in such a short time. I’m really focusing on growing the team and getting word out about how amazing the game of rugby is.”

McCollum is committed in the moment and going forward.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my journey with this team,” she vowed, “and then supporting them in the future as an alumnus.”