Women’s B-Ball Commits Trio of Transfers

If the age old adage is true that good things come in threes, then the Cougars can count their blessings as the Mount Royal University Cougars women’s basketball team committed a trio of top level college/university transfers.

Emily Larson, Kari Youmans and Celeste Clarke headline the Cougars 2010-2011 recruiting class, as the team adds height, experience and toughness to the squad.

Emily Larson – 5’6” - 3rd Year - University of Toronto Varsity Blues

Averaging almost 20 minutes per game in the Ontario University Athletics conference, (OUA) Emily Larson brings a wealth of experience to a young Cougars squad that featured 7 of 12 student-athletes who were sophomores or rookies heading into the start of last season.

Larson spent two seasons with the U of T Varsity Blues, averaging over four points and two assists last season, leading the squad to a 7-5 regular season.
Originally from Calgary, the 5’6” guard, starred on the Springbank Community High School team here in Calgary, winning a 3A Alberta high school provincial championship in 2008.

Larson will bring leadership, tenacity and a “never quit” attitude says Cougars head coach Joe Enevoldson.

        (Emily Larson)

“Emily is one of those special student-athletes who is a proven winner, she has the natural leadership qualities we are looking for and is one of the most competitive student-athletes we’ve ever had on this team, she is willing to run through a brick wall and I’m really excited about bringing her into our program.”

Larson is an exceptional student, who will be enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Business and Entrepreneurship – Sport and Recreation program at MRU.

Kari Youmans – 5’11” – 3rd Year - Red Deer College Queens

Joining Larson on the Cougars will be another Springbank alumnus in post player, Kari Youmans.

Youmans has spent the past two seasons with the Red Deer College Queens, averaging over three points and three rebounds per game last season, while shooting over 45 percent from the field.

The Bragg Creek, Alberta native is described as a “tough interior player who you love to have on your team, but hate to play against.”

Enevoldson says not only does she bring “size and experience to the squad”, but also a “tough physical edge and someone who can rebound,” an area of focus for the team as they look to improve in the off-season.

The 5’11” juniour will be counted on to bring depth and stability to the post position and is planning on enrolling in the Bachelor of Business Program at Mount Royal.

Celeste Clarke -5’11” – 3rd Year - University of Calgary Dino’s

Last but not least, the Cougars add a versatile student-athlete in former University of Calgary Dino’s forward Celeste Clarke.

Celeste played with the Dino’s from 2006-2008, averaging over eight minutes per game, while shooting 51 percent from the field in her final year.

After spending two years away from the game, Celeste rediscovered her passion for ball this past season and will be joining the Cougars come September.
Coach Enevoldson was thrilled to be adding another CIS veteran to the squad.

“She is a huge addition for us,” says Enevoldson. “She is a great team player, who is a match-up nightmare for other teams. She is a tough, physical three who can put the ball on the floor, rebound and shoot from beyond the arc. Not only is she a great player, but she is also a great leader, very vocal and focused, we are ecstatic she’ll be joining us in the fall.”

When not tearing it up on the hard-court, Celeste plans to enroll in the Bachelor of Applied Interior design program at Mount Royal.

With the three university/college transfers, the Cougars get older in age, but they also get more experienced, tougher and deeper as a team.

“We are really looking forward to the start of next season,” says Enevoldson. “We wanted to get physically tougher on both ends of the floor and I think we’ve accomplished that. Our defence is looking better, our basketball IQ is better and so is our rebounding. That is going to open up a lot of things in transition and let us be the team we want to be, I’m very enthusiastic.”

Congratulations to our three new Cougar student-athletes and welcome to the team!