2022-23 Kaler Family Rugby Scholarships Recipient: Katana Provost

Katana Provost was searching for a new outlet. As soon as she was introduced to rugby it changed the trajectory of her life. “It became my everything. In all honesty it saved my life. I went from sitting on my butt, not doing school, and making unhealthy life habits to focusing my life on something valuable,” said Provost. 

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Her rugby career began during her senior year of high school in 2021. She took to the game quickly and earned her way into a starting spot at flanker. She was also invited to play for the Badger Selects U19 side, representing the best players in the Wisconsin region. 

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“When Katana joined the club, she made an impact right from the start. She embodies the core values of rugby and was a leader on and off the pitch. While she came in with little to no knowledge of the game, she learned quickly and soon became not only a varsity player, but also a player who could and would play multiple positions. Of course, she had her favorites, but she was always willing to play where she was needed. Her quick uptake of the game was a result of her hard work, innate ability, and her acceptance to coaching and feedback,” said Stevens Point Area Senior High Panthers Rugby Club Manager, Carrie Diamond. 

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Katana graduated from Stevens Point Area Senior High in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. In addition to rugby, she competed in wrestling, volleyball, and track and field. She was an active member in her church youth group and volunteered for many community service projects. During her freshman year of high school, she was awarded “Student of the Year” for the attitude, leadership, and positive impact she made on her peers and in her community. 

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She will pursue a degree in social work while competing for Winona State University Women’s Rugby. Upon graduating, she intends to become a case manager for foster children, with a goal of establishing new screening requirements for foster parents and increasing the amount of case workers available. Katana is dedicated to improving her rugby IQ and skills at the collegiate level. She would love to help establish rugby in elementary school physical education curriculum and work toward achieving a level 300 coaching certification. 

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“As a freshman, she has not only been a starting player in every game, but she was also up for the challenge to learn how to play scrumhalf, as our team was quite lacking in the position. Katana is a shining star that does not dim the light of other players. She challenges others to be their best, strives to improve upon herself, and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with on the pitch,” said Winona State Women’s Rugby Coach, Phileshia Dombroski.