Kaitlin Tetteh-Wayoe needed just one game to make her presence felt in Canada West rugby. The University of Alberta rookie scored four tries in her varsity debut on August 30, leading the Pandas to a 29-17 road win over the Calgary Dinos. The performance earned her Canada West’s BioSteel Rugby 15s Player of the Week honours, and Athlete of the Week award, providing an enthusiastic start to her career with the Pandas.

What made the feat even more remarkable was Tetteh-Wayne’s journey to the Pandas’ organization. It was not only her first match with the Pandas, but the first varsity rugby game she had ever played. A transfer from Simon Fraser University (SFU), Tetteh-Wayoe spent the last two years competing for SFU’s women’s basketball team. In 24 games with the Red Leafs, she averaged 1.8 points per game, and 4.3 minutes per game, serving primarily as a reliable rotational option.

At Alberta, she has quickly rewritten her narrative. Instead of being a role player, Tetteh-Wayoe delivered an explosive performance in her first game, scoring three of her four tries in the second half to erase a Calgary lead and secure the win. Her ability to adapt her athletic skill set from basketball to rugby has added a productive new member to the Pandas roster, and had an immediate offensive impact.

The Pandas struck first in the match through second-year forward Emerson Hanrahan, but Calgary battled back to take a 14-12 advantage early in the second half. That was when Tetteh-Wayoe took over, quickly regaining the lead, and regaining the Panda’s momentum. 

Her story highlights both her elite athletic ability and adaptability. Transitioning between two different varsity sports is rare, and succeeding immediately in a U Sports debut is even more rare. Nonetheless, Tetteh-Wayoe’s combination of speed, power, and athletic intelligence has made her a natural fit in the Pandas’ system.

Outlook for the rest of the season

The timing of her emergence is significant for Alberta. After going 0-2 with Lethbridge last season, the Pandas entered the year with a road win, a Player of the Week nod, and a surge of momentum heading into their home opener. The Pandas faced off against the Lethbridge Pronghorns Friday at Foote Field with hopes of establishing themselves as early contenders in Canada West. The game finished at a draw, 26-26, marking early progress for a young Pandas Team. Next up is the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds on September 18, where the Pandas hope to continue their success on the road.

For the third-year rookie, it has already been a semester to remember. If her debut is any indication, the Pandas Rugby organization may have found their next star.