This weekend’s 2013 USA Rugby College 7s National Championship will feature 16 women’s clubs vying for a national championship. Not one of the 16 teams would have qualified for the National Championship without a deep and talented roster. These experienced and explosive teams are sure to produce some exciting rugby in Greensboro, but here is a list of eight players to keep a close eye on.
Jessica Lewis – California
Cal’s talented sevens team has already had an impressive fall season, winning both the Oregon State 7s and the Stanford Invitational. Cal has several standout players who have been named to select player pools and earned All American honors, such as Gen Ireland and Stacey Wong. However, Cal Head Coach Brendon Sparks cannot stop raving about junior prop Jessica Lewis. Described by her sevens coach as a “workhorse,” Lewis might not be seen at the top of any try list, but she is often the one setting up her teammates for scores. Lewis also sets the tone for the Bears defensively. She has the capability of single-handedly slowing down a defense and creating turnovers. Lewis was a big reason why Cal topped Stanford at its most recent sevens tournament, and she is sure to have a strong hand in any success the Bears have at Nationals.
Lara Gartner – Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech goes as Lara Gartner goes. Playing the flyhalf position, Gartner is not only responsible for calling all of the team’s set pieces, but she also takes it upon herself to make sure the Yellow Jackets are aligned on the defensive side of the ball. Tech coach Rosalind Chou says Gartner has an “Amazing rugby brain.” Gartner’s rugby brain helps her see the field better than most and put her teammates into space. She understands the small details of the game and it allows her to be the on-field general for Georgia Tech.
Muriel Guignard – Clemson
On a team lacking overall experience, Clemson Head Coach Martin Sarkees leans on his most experienced player in Guignard. She came to Clemson with a high school background in rugby and her knowledge and repetition shows on the field. Sarkees describes Guignard as his “most well-rounded player” as she has no glaring weaknesses in her game. She also has the tendency to make the big play when it is needed most. The Tigers will count on Guignard’s experience and consistent play in Greensboro.
Credit Ryan Terry
Kendal McCracken – Oregon State
Only a sophomore, it did not take long for McCracken to become Oregon State’s most consistent contributor. A former USA Rugby AIG Women’s Junior All-American, she has what head coach David Dickson describes as a “quiet intensity” about her that has made her a leader by example on the field. Although not known for her blazing speed, McCracken is incredibly fit. Look for her pace to be on notice in the final 20 minutes of a match once her opponents begin to tire.
Brie Rahrig – Ohio State
The only freshman on this list, Rahrig has made an immediate impact for the Ohio State program. Standing at an imposing 5-foot-11, Rahrig catches opponents off guard with her surprising pace and tremendous accuracy with her foot. Rahrig was named to the Indian U-19 Select Side out of Bishop Dwenger, where she was also a standout volleyball player. Not only a smart player on the field, she is also studying Biomedical Engineering.
Morgan Arthur – Princeton
Arthur is a senior and is the captain for the Princeton Tigers. An extremely versatile player, she plays several positions on the field. Princeton coach Chris Ryan counts on his captain to lead by example, while Arthur also takes it upon herself to vocally help the team on the pitch. A basketball player before beginning her rugby career, she has incredibly quick feet and hands. This allows her to either use her step to get past a defender or break the opponent’s defensive line with a quick pass. Arthur was a big reason Princeton won the Ivy 7s title this fall.
Vanessa Champagne – Norwich
Winners of both the 2011 and 2012 College 7s National Championship, Norwich is loaded with talent. Fortunately for the rest of the field, two of their top players, Ally Day and Baylee Annis, will be on tour with the USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-American in France this weekend. Still, Norwich brings fantastic rugby players into this year’s tournament, including Rose Bernheim and Joya Clark, who took home MVP honors at the 7s Championships in 2011 and 2012. Even with unbelievable talent around her, Champagne’s importance to the Norwich team is invaluable. Deemed the “quiet leader” by coach Austin Hall, Champagne is unselfish and the ultimate team player. Vanessa is also a member of the Norwich women’s hockey team, which might explain her graceful running and ability to stop on a dime to make a defender miss. Norwich will bring a number of fantastic rugby players to the tournament, and Champagne is one of them.
Brianna Kim – Virginia
Kim is this year’s captain for a Virginia club that did not play in the College 7s National Championships last year, but did reach the Cup Semifinals in 2011. A junior, Kim will be seen playing both flyhalf and center. Though not a large player, she tends to play far beyond her size and is terrific at the point of contact. She also uses her tremendous speed and work rate to create dynamic offensive breaks for Virginia. Above all, Kim has impressed Virginia’s sevens coach Dana Creager with the amount of effort and intensity she brings to not only the games, but practices, as well.
Lara Gartner – Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech goes as Lara Gartner goes. Playing the flyhalf position, Gartner is not only responsible for calling all of the team’s set pieces, but she also takes it upon herself to make sure the Yellow Jackets are aligned on the defensive side of the ball. Tech coach Rosalind Chou says Gartner has an “Amazing rugby brain.” Gartner’s rugby brain helps her see the field better than most and put her teammates into space. She understands the small details of the game and it allows her to be the on-field general for Georgia Tech.
Muriel Guignard – Clemson
On a team lacking overall experience, Clemson Head Coach Martin Sarkees leans on his most experienced player in Guignard. She came to Clemson with a high school background in rugby and her knowledge and repetition shows on the field. Sarkees describes Guignard as his “most well-rounded player” as she has no glaring weaknesses in her game. She also has the tendency to make the big play when it is needed most. The Tigers will count on Guignard’s experience and consistent play in Greensboro.
Credit Ryan Terry
Kendal McCracken – Oregon State
Only a sophomore, it did not take long for McCracken to become Oregon State’s most consistent contributor. A former USA Rugby AIG Women’s Junior All-American, she has what head coach David Dickson describes as a “quiet intensity” about her that has made her a leader by example on the field. Although not known for her blazing speed, McCracken is incredibly fit. Look for her pace to be on notice in the final 20 minutes of a match once her opponents begin to tire.
Brie Rahrig – Ohio State
The only freshman on this list, Rahrig has made an immediate impact for the Ohio State program. Standing at an imposing 5-foot-11, Rahrig catches opponents off guard with her surprising pace and tremendous accuracy with her foot. Rahrig was named to the Indian U-19 Select Side out of Bishop Dwenger, where she was also a standout volleyball player. Not only a smart player on the field, she is also studying Biomedical Engineering.
Morgan Arthur – Princeton
Arthur is a senior and is the captain for the Princeton Tigers. An extremely versatile player, she plays several positions on the field. Princeton coach Chris Ryan counts on his captain to lead by example, while Arthur also takes it upon herself to vocally help the team on the pitch. A basketball player before beginning her rugby career, she has incredibly quick feet and hands. This allows her to either use her step to get past a defender or break the opponent’s defensive line with a quick pass. Arthur was a big reason Princeton won the Ivy 7s title this fall.
Vanessa Champagne – Norwich
Winners of both the 2011 and 2012 College 7s National Championship, Norwich is loaded with talent. Fortunately for the rest of the field, two of their top players, Ally Day and Baylee Annis, will be on tour with the USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-American in France this weekend. Still, Norwich brings fantastic rugby players into this year’s tournament, including Rose Bernheim and Joya Clark, who took home MVP honors at the 7s Championships in 2011 and 2012. Even with unbelievable talent around her, Champagne’s importance to the Norwich team is invaluable. Deemed the “quiet leader” by coach Austin Hall, Champagne is unselfish and the ultimate team player. Vanessa is also a member of the Norwich women’s hockey team, which might explain her graceful running and ability to stop on a dime to make a defender miss. Norwich will bring a number of fantastic rugby players to the tournament, and Champagne is one of them.
Brianna Kim – Virginia
Kim is this year’s captain for a Virginia club that did not play in the College 7s National Championships last year, but did reach the Cup Semifinals in 2011. A junior, Kim will be seen playing both flyhalf and center. Though not a large player, she tends to play far beyond her size and is terrific at the point of contact. She also uses her tremendous speed and work rate to create dynamic offensive breaks for Virginia. Above all, Kim has impressed Virginia’s sevens coach Dana Creager with the amount of effort and intensity she brings to not only the games, but practices, as well.
Fantastic.
What about Kara Connel from Indiana?