For the Gazette

STEVENS POINT – SPASH Panthers Rugby senior, Ellie Villnow has committed to play rugby at D1 Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO, in the fall of 2021.

Villnow has played for SPASH Panthers Rugby Club for two years and was MVP in each of the last two state championship tournaments for the Wisconsin High School Girls Rugby League. She was named to the Wisconsin High School Girls Rugby League All-State Team and the Wisconsin High School All-Star Team and competes as a member of Wisconsin’s Badger Selects team.

“This is the first signing from our club and we are so proud of Ellie and her hard work to excel at rugby,” said club manager, Carrie Diamond.

Villnow will graduate from Amherst High School this spring.

Girls from any area school, grades 9-12, can play for the Panthers Rugby Club, now in its fourth year. For more information, contact Diamond at 920-574-6665.