UPEI women’s rugby add ‘blue chip’ Thorpe to roster

UPEI women's rugby head coach Shannon Atkins is pleased to announce Megan Thorpe has committed to the University of Prince Edward Island and will join the Panthers in the fall.

The Saint John, N.B. native is the recipient of a full tuition academic scholarship from UPEI. Co-captain and outside centre for the Kennebecasis Valley High School (KVHS) rugby team, the high achieving student-athlete has been the top scorer in league play since grade 9. KVHS has reached the provincial finals in each of Thorpe's four years there, winning the championship twice, the most recent being in 2013. Thorpe contributed four tries in the championship game, and was selected co-MVP for the 2013 season.

'I'm looking forward to being a part of the Panther organization,' said Thorpe. 'I hope to contribute positively to my team and to the campus community. The Island seems to suit me. I was drawn to its community-like atmosphere and small campus. All-in-all, I'm really excited for the upcoming season.'

Thorpe is a multisport athlete with provincial successes in badminton, soccer, track and field, basketball, and volleyball.

'Megan is a born leader whose intelligence will be noticed both on and off the field,' said Atkins. 'She is driven in everything that she does-from school to sports-and she is someone who I expect great things from!'

'It's a pleasure to welcome Megan to the Panther Family,' added UPEI Athletics and Recreation Director Bill Schurman. 'Megan is a true ‘blue chip' prospect who will be successful both on the field and in the classroom.'

Thorpe is enrolled in the UPEI engineering program.

UPEI is hosting the AUS women's rugby championship on October 26-27 at the UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place.