Maple leaf moment: Former Phoenix Megan Lukan and her Canadian Rugby team win bronze
From college basketball star to Canadian rugby medalist. Wait. What?
Photo credit: Paige Stewart
Former Green Bay women’s basketball standout Megan Lukan did the improbable. Following a stellar basketball career at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Lukan jumped at an offer to return to Canada and play for the national Canadian rugby developmental team (a sport she had given up in high school to focus on basketball). That led to making the Canadian Rugby Sevens Olympic roster in July, and just yesterday, she was draped with an Olympic bronze medal.
As one writer said, “…when your ambition is fueled by a five-alarm fire, it will take you to some strange and wonderful places.”
“The road has been incredible,” said Lukan. “Almost surreal. I really didn’t know if I would be competing in Rio, and it’s been a whirlwind of a journey to get here. I honestly believe I am a product of the program because they had to teach me all the technical aspects of the game and even tactical and strategy as well. But I would say, one of the reasons I do believe I got here today is the journey I’ve had as an athlete, particularly my time at Green Bay. Through that experience, there were a lot of highs and a few unexpected lows — but going through all of that only made me a stronger athlete — and I believe that had something to do with why I’m here today.”
Photo credit: Paige Stewart
Read about the historic first-ever medal for Canada Rugby
Read more about Lukan and her path to Olympic bronze
- Megan Lukan walked away from rugby three times. Now she’s competing for Canada at the Olympics, Regina Leader-Post, 08/02/2016
- Megan Lukan: From the basketball court to the first-ever Olympic rugby team, Canadian Olympic Team Official Website, 08/08/2016
