Experienced forward signs with Briercrest women's basketball
The Briercrest College and Seminary women’s basketball team has added some size and college experience to their lineup with the signing of Meghan Carr.
The native of Victoria, B.C. joins the Clippers after a year off from basketball. Carr spent this past school year in the Kaleìo program at Camp Qwanoes on Vancouver Island. She last competed in the British Columbia Colleges Athletics Association for the Columbia Bible College Bearcats during the 2010-11 season, where she was named the team’s Most Improved Player.
Jay Duke was Carr's coach at CBC.
"Meghan is one of those players that I felt very fortunate to coach," Duke said. "She is so versatile, and a tough match-up for anyone, and her abilities came through in shining moments throughout the season she spent at CBC."
"She had some ridiculous games for us," Duke continued. Like 14 points, 9 rebounds, 11 blocks and 18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks to name a couple."
The 6’ 2” post says the year off from basketball was valuable for her.
“Following the tough year at CBC, I needed a break from the game, both mentally and physically,” Carr said. “This past school year has been a year of rest for me as I grew substantially in other areas — especially spiritually — in the Kaleìo program at Camp Qwanoes. It was also a very difficult year for our group, but coming from that were many huge victories, rewarding experiences and incredible growth.”
Carr has gained some valuable perspective during her time away from the sport.
“I think basketball had become somewhat of a ‘savior’ for me,” she said. “It was where I found the most praise from people, where I found I could succeed and be well-liked because of my abilities, and where I could benefit from solid relationships based on being constantly together and working towards a common goal. None of these are bad things, but for a while there my focus was away from where true satisfaction comes from, and onto finding fulfillment in independent achievements and abilities instead. Over the course of my two years of foundational Bible College, I gradually came to a place where my purpose and goals and love are focused on the One who created me, on His will for my life and on building His Kingdom here on earth.”
Carr says that this refocusing has led her to choosing to continue her education at Briercrest.
“Ministry is my vocation, and getting a biblically-based education is of utmost importance to me,” Carr said. “I will be taking the Applied Linguistics: TESOL program. I'm looking forward to the friendships, the academics, the basketball — the team part especially — and some all-around good times on the Prairies!”
Coach Chad Romanuk is looking forward to what Carr will bring to the lineup.
“Meghan will bring experience and versatility to our team,” Romanuk said. “She is a tall post who can shoot the ball and put the ball on the floor — able to stretch the defense and open things up. I am excited to have the opportunity to coach her, and am excited about the impact that she will have on our team both on and off the court.”
Carr began playing basketball around age nine, but began playing on club teams at age 13. In the summer after Grade 10 (2007), she was chosen to represent her province on the U16 Team BC. For her Grade 11 year, Carr moved to Victoria from Kamloops and competed for Spectrum Community School for her final two years of high school. Carr received multiple MVP and Coach’s Awards throughout her high school career. In her Grade 12 year she was named the Island All-Star Team.
“I have played post most of my life because of my height, but much prefer a power forward position where I have more room to use my quickness and shooting ability,” Carr said. “I like defending better than any other aspect of basketball by far. Taking charges or making blocks are the most exhilarating and motivating feelings.”
Other than basketball, Carr loves outdoor adventure.
“I have been hugely blessed in terms of opportunities to do exciting activities,” she said. “A few of my favorite have been bungee jumping, white water rafting, backpacking, zip-lining, downhill skiing, water skiing, snowshoeing, biking trips, climbing trips, surfing, fishing, crabbing, prawning, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and cliff jumping in the tropics!”
Her other passion is fighting for those who are oppressed.
“I am very passionate about social justice,” Carr said. “The last couple years I have specifically been involved in the abolitionist movement against human trafficking, organizing some benefit concerts and documentary screenings, attending forums—whatever I can do as a busy college student. I could talk for a very long time about the devastation and need in that area of social justice.”