Meet the Amazons

Current Players Alumni

Rebecca Radtke

Nickname: Reebok
Position: Flyhalf
Years playing rugby: Too Many
Year you started with the Zons: Oct. 12 1979 7:32pm – I was an Amazon from Birth:)
Previous Clubs/Teams: UW-River Falls, MN U-23′s, Midwest U-23′s, USA U-23′s, Midwest Senior
Occupation: Medical Sales Rep
Birthday: Oct. 12
Status: Happy
Best memory as a Zon: Making the Final Four in 2007!
Why do you play?: If you asked me this when I first started I would have said I liked to hit people and not get in trouble for it! But now I play for my teammates and our Coach – Roger. My love and loyalty for the Amazons drives me to be better all around – they are my Family.
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: I’m an Amazon – That is all the Honor I need!
One thing that no one knows: I used to Endurance Race Horses – 100 mile races

Nicole Taylor Benjamin

Nickname: Carni
Position: Scrumhalf
Years playing rugby: 8 years
Year you started with the Zons: Fall 2008
Previous Clubs/Teams: University of Minnesota – Duluth (Fighting Penguins), Gypsy Rugby Footballl Club (touring team)
Occupation: Pace Analytical – Client Services – Sample Receiving
Birthday: August 3rd
Status: taken, sorry guys… and ladies :p
Best memory as a Zon: Actually getting a full compliment from Roger about my game play in front of the whole team, I’m pretty sure it is a once in a lifetime experience! … but I’ll work my ass off for another
Why do you play?: Uh, why wouldn’t I play the greatest game on Earth?!
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: I was prom queen and valedictorian… no, not really. I was Captain of Duluth w Ms Karp for many years and it was great… absolutely unforgettable!
One thing that no one knows: hmmm…. well no one knows the entire value of pi, if you figure it all out let me know!

Rachel Maas

Nickname: Maas
Position: Prop…and a flanker in my dreams
Years playing rugby: 11
Year you started with the Zons: 2006
Previous Clubs/Teams: University of Minnesota, Mankato State University
Occupation: Corrections officer at a women’s prison and a massage therapist….but definitely not at the same time!
Birthday: March 16th
Status: Loving Life!
Best memory as a Zon: I always love being at Nationals, being all together for a couple of days doing what we love and having fun
Why do you play?: Because just the thought of it makes me smile : )
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: When you really get to know me you will realize that I’m the biggest dork
One thing that no one knows: Nobody will know!

Tonnie Wulff

Nickname: Tonnie
Position: Any position in the front row; varies from game to game, minute to minute.
Years playing rugby: 16
Year you started with the Zons: 1998
Previous Clubs/Teams: Gustavus Adolphus College,Minneapolis Menagerie, Auckland Maris
Occupation: Chiropractor
Birthday: 5/21/76
Status: Still livin’ the dream
Best memory as a Zon: There are so many…..it’s hard to think of just one. Beating Beantown and Berkeley this fall (2010) is definitely up there. Although participating in the bench-clearing brawl while on tour to Italy is definitely one of the all-time best stories…..I won’t even get into talking about socials….
Why do you play?: Very simple: Rugby feeds my soul.
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: In our current team make-up, I’m not the oldest (thanks Dingle and Christine:) but I have been playing on the team the longest. Also, I don’t wear underwear.
One thing that no one knows: I have a big mouth; everyone knows everything about me that there is to know about me. I’m a fan of full disclosure.

Sylvia Braaten

Nickname: Syl/ Sylv
Position: Inside Center/ Flyhalf
Years playing rugby: 8
Year you started with the Zons: Fall 2009
Previous Clubs/Teams: Chicago North Shore Women’s Rugby, Marquette University
Occupation: Strength and Conditioning Coordinator (Totino-Grace High School)
Birthday: July 5th, 1985
Status: Dating
Best memory as a Zon: Beating Beantown and Berkley during our 2010 Fall Season.
Why do you play?: Because I LOVE this game!
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: USA Elite, USA Developmental, Midwest Senior Selectside, USA U-23s, USA U-19s, Midwest U-23s, Collegiate All-Americans.
One thing that no one knows: If I told you, then it would no longer be something that no one knows…

Jamie Zarembinski

Nickname: Hi-may, Jame-sauce, badass (kidding), oh and some people call me Rhino, but it’s definitely not my favorite
Position: hooker (my parents are proud)
Years playing rugby: 5
Year you started with the Zons: 1
Previous Clubs/Teams: U of M-Duluth Fighting Penguins
Occupation: a job that pays me and gives me benefits so I can travel and play rugby!
Birthday: 9-20-86
Status: single, but a hopeless romantic ready to fall in love. I enjoy long walks on the beach…
Best memory as a Zon: Every single home game this past season! oh and “every party has a pooper that’s why we invited you…George Banks!”
Why do you play?: Because never in my life have I loved a sport as much as I love rugby. I will do anything to play it! It’s pretty much addicting.
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you:
One thing that no one knows: I eat toast upside down. Oh, and I sleep with socks on.

Kaelene Lundstrum

Nickname: Lunde
Position: Wing
Years playing rugby: 5
Year you started with the Zons: 2010
Previous Clubs/Teams: Gustavus Adolphus
Occupation: Chemical Analyst
Birthday: Jan 31, 1988
Status: Giraffe
Best memory as a Zon: Being with all of my fellow crayons on Halloween!
Why do you play?: Why not…Its one of the best sports ever, and you get to play with some of the most wonderful people. Also its a great stress reliever
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: 9 time All-American only one of which is in Rugby. Also, my college roommates banned me from energy drinks, just keep that in mind when I ask you if I can have one….
One thing that no one knows: If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world. In the off-season that is

Liz Dusbabek

Position: Wing
Years playing rugby: 4
Year you started with the Zons: 2010
Previous Clubs/Teams: College of St. Benedict
Occupation: Microbiologist
Birthday: May 9
Status: Single
Best memory as a Zon: My first away game experience in D.C.
Why do you play?: For love of the game
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: Um……to come at a later date…
One thing that no one knows: I despise clutter around my apartment.

Ashley Mulford

Nickname: Mulf

Position: Fullback

Years playing rugby: 9

Year you started with the Zons: 2007

Previous Clubs/Teams: University of Northern Iowa; Midwest U-23, Midwest Senior Women

Occupation: Medical Sales Rep

Birthday: 01/23/1984

Status: Focused on the Prize!

Best memory as a Zon: Beating Berkeley in 2010

Why do you play?: Competition-Love to Train to Play

Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: Collegiate All-American 1st Team-2004-2005-2006

One thing that no one knows: I have moved 14x since 2002

Angie Ahrendt

Nickname: Ang
Position: Lock
Years playing rugby: since 2006
Year you started with the Zons: 2008-ish
Previous Clubs/Teams: 1 year NDSU, 5 years U23 MN All Star team
Occupation: Student (probably forever, trying to catch up to Carni )
Birthday: Aug. 18, 1988
Status: On the prowl
Best memory as a Zon: “Zon Fest” and 2011 Colorado trip
Why do you play?: It’s FUN, it’s outside, It’s RUGBY [:
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: MN U23s 5 years; My last name is pronounced "aren't"
One thing that no one knows: I have a tree fort

Rachael Dingle

Nickname: Dingle
Position: Prop
Years playing rugby: 12
Year you started with the Zons: 1999
Previous Clubs/Teams: U.S. Combined Services / Camp LeJeune Misfits
Occupation: Insurance / Military
Birthday: 1/31
Status: not dead
Best memory as a Zon: Serious memory- back to Final Four 2007, Fun memory- JUNGLE BUS
Why do you play?: My teammates
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: No namer on the pitch, just work hard for the team.
One thing that no one knows: I’m an open book, I don’t think there is anything left that is unknown

Carrie Bauer

Nickname: None
Position: Wing
Years playing rugby: 7+
Year you started with the Zons: 2006
Previous Clubs/Teams: Weber State University, Ogden UT
Occupation: Microbiologist, Study Director – Custom Pre-clinical testing
Birthday: 07/16/79
Status: active
Best memory as a Zon: all of them
Why do you play?: can’t give it up
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: I’m shy with new people but love sarcasm and getting a group to laugh, even at my own expense;)
One thing that no one knows: You have to go to nationals to find out.

Alicia Gillberg

Nickname: Ali, Al, Stitch
Position: Utility Forward
Years playing rugby: almost 2!
Year you started with the Zons: 2011
Previous Clubs/Teams: UW-Eau Claire RFC, Touring Women over Thirty Side in Training Side(T.I.T.S.)
Occupation: Web Consultant, Bicycle Mechanic
Birthday: June 22, 1988
Status: Rainbow
Best memory as a Zon: Colorado trip last spring!
Why do you play?: Awesome people, challenging sport, getting to boomroast(TRON) people, travel, I could go on but rugby is pretty much the best sport ever. period.
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: I won a pie eating contest in 4-H once, but for rugby…WI Women’s LAU team 2010, MN U-23 LAU Team 2011 (Tournament Champs!!)
One thing that no one knows: I am a twin! also I have a peice of my kneecap in a jar.

Kendra Klump

Nickname: None yet, I’m sure I’ll have one shortly.
Position: Loose forward, utility player
Years playing rugby: 4
Year you started with the Zons: 2011
Previous Clubs/Teams: MSU Mankato Women
Occupation: Student…yes, still.
Birthday: 05/14/1988
Status: Happy
Best memory as a Zon: None yet
Why do you play?: Life is empty without rugby
Honors/All-Around things people need to know about you: MSU scrum captain, Minnesota All-Stars, Midwest All-Stars, Collegiate All-Americans
One thing that no one knows: I radiate an extreme amount of body heat but my feet are ALWAYS freezing cold.

Current Players