X-Women Basketball to Welcome Riverview Native Vanessa Pickard

StFX release
St. Francis Xavier University Department of Athletics
PO Box 5000  Antigonish  Nova Scotia
Canada  B2G 2W5

Wednesday, January 12, 2010

X-Women Basketball to welcome Riverview native Vanessa Pickard
 
ANTIGONISH, NS – StFX women’s basketball head coach Matt Skinn is pleased to announce that Riverview High School 5’11 guard Vanessa Pickard has committed to StFX University and will be joining the X-Women basketball program this fall.

“Vanessa's commitment to the X-Women Basketball program is a tribute to the hard work and dedication that the players have put in to excellence over the past two and a half seasons that I have been here,” comments Coach Skinn. “We are constantly striving to be a championship basketball program, and with Vanessa joining the fray, it definitely helps us in our attempt to achieve our goals.”

“Vanessa is the epitome of a student athlete.  She excels in the classroom and on the court.  She is a mature and driven person who is ready to take on university life and challenges. She is an extremely hard worker who has pushed herself to be the student and player that she is today.  The program is ecstatic to have her, and we will do everything we can to push her to become the best player she can be.” says Skinn, who is currently in his third year as head coach of the X-Women.

Pickard competed for Canada's Cadette National team in 2009 and 2010 including a World Championship appearance. She competed at National Championships from 2007-2010 for Team New Brunswick at the U-15 and U-17 levels where she had a 5th place finish and she was named 2nd team All Star in 2010 in Toronto. In Vanessa’s three years at Riverview High School the school team has only lost three games and has won back to back New Brunswick 4A Provincial Championships in 2009 and 2010. Off the court Pickard is an honor roll student.

“I was impressed with the renowned academics at StFX along with the general atmosphere of the campus. The campus is a perfect size where everything is easily accessible,” comments Pickard. “I loved X from the first time that I visited in grade 11 so when it came down to my decision, there was no other university that I could see myself going to.

Pickard said the X-Women Basketball program was the best fit for her. “I love their high-tempo style of play. Their aggressive defense combined with their fast-pace offensive transition is exactly what I was looking for,” comments Vanessa. “I know that the program will challenge me and make me a better teammate and player. The girls are very skilled and I have a great deal of respect for the coach. I knew that this was the team I wanted to play for a National Championship with.”

The X-Women are currently ranked 4th in the AUS.

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