July 25, 2016
Girls HS All-Americans Selected For 2016 Competitions
Logo: USA Rugby All-Americans
Doug Coil
Article adapted from USA Rugby Release: July 25, 2016
The Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS will receive international rugby 15s and 7s experience as more than 80 athletes travel to Emmitsburg, Maryland to play Quebec and Seattle to play British Columbia.
The GHSAAs are divided into an East and West teams. The East team will travel to Mount St. Mary’s University for matches against Quebec’s under-18s and under-16s on July 29 and 31. The West team will play the British Columbia under-18s in Seattle on August 5 and 7.
During the Fall, a GHSAA sevens team will travel to Vichy, France, for Women European Championship 7s U18.
Head Coach Farrah Douglas and national team pathway scouts have been reviewing their age-grade selection notes. Regional tournaments have been held in Colorado, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, and Oregon, where athletes were split into ‘JV’ and ‘Varsity’ teams.
Douglas said “The U16 team is geared toward the idea that we want these young players to be exposed to the beginning of the decision-making needed to compete at the senior level, and look to increase their game understanding and skill development at a younger age. By focusing on developing their rugby ability through skill development and early exposure to pressured collective and individual decision-making skills, we are able to encourage these players to explore and express their athleticism within the GHSAA game structures.”
“Although the aim is still looking to continue to develop players, our U18 squad is in the beginning stages of transitioning to concepts of improvement and performance. We want to develop an ongoing conversation about how to improve not just skill, but playing ability, shifting some of the focus toward the facilitation of player learning through emphasizing questioning and player engagement in the GHSAA structure.”
ATAVUS has provided support for the GHSAAs since 2014. This has allowed both camps and tours to take place. When the GHSAAs are in Seattle, they will be housed at Seattle University prior to matches at Magnuson Park, home of ATAVUS camps and local senior clubs.
Douglas added”Because we are such a large country geographically it is always tough with only five RCT events as selection venues. However, the combination of the GHSAA Winter Camps and RCTs, in addition to the ATAVUS resident camps this summer, has enabled us to evaluate a larger number of high school players.”
Assistant Coach Emilie Bydwell will not be with the team on the 15s tours, as she will be with the Women’s Sevens team in Rio, but she will accompany the girls to France for the Sept. 10-11 sevens tournament.
While Bydwell is with Team USA, the GHSAA staff will have Kate Daley and Shawn Pittman coaching expertise and experience to assist with the competitions.
The GHSAAs’ European roster will be confirmed in the coming days.
Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS – East U18
Naomi Colin, Emma Conrad, Jordan Cowan, Olivia Duba, Lelyss Eligio, Hannah Garcia, Natalie Gray, Delia Hellander, Alyssa Henneberg, Emily Henrich, Sydeney Hugus, Lynnzee Jordan, Grace Kiraly, Paige Krahling, Jodi Losch, Hannah Moran, Jess Nagie, Allie Ramage, Darina Roe, Annie Rolf, Hannah Savin, Brianna Whitfield, Elizabeth Wilson, Erin Wright
Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS – East U18
v. Quebec U18s – Friday, July 29
v. Quebec U18s – Sunday, July 31
Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS – East U16
Gigi Agliardo, Delani Bargell, McKenzie Bochers, KC Byrd, Samantha Carroll, Kaitlyn Delapaz, Isabella Devore, Alex DiMarco, Grace Estes, Lauren Feddridge, Brooke Garcia, Fane Haungatau, Addison Horsley, Regan Hunter, Madison Jumper, Natalie Locke, Leilani Mendoza, Delaney Rakuita, Megan Reed, Punipuoa Skipps, Joannah Skucek, Samantha Tancredi, Salote Tausinga, Hailey Thomas, Alexandra Wantlin, Camille White
Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS – East U16
v. Quebec U16s – Friday, July 29
v. Quebec U16s – Sunday, July 31
Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS – West U18
Sui A’Au, Tiana A’Au, Tiara A’Au, Legacy Adams, Destiny Arena, Cassidy Bargell, Lily Brown, Mirielle Cordoa, Atumata Hingano, Seini Imarial, Mililani Leui, Lolohea Makaafi, Daisy Manoa, Rian Moala, Cheyene Nielson, Winter OBrien, MJ Paisoles, Ana Polaulo, Julia Riekena, Malili Schaap, Alexandra Sedrick, McKenna Strong, Finau Tamaviena, Mele Tausinga, Nia Toliver, Penina Tuipaepa, Brianna Vasquez
Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS – West U18
v. BC U18s – Friday, Aug. 5
v. BC U18s – Sunday, Aug. 7
Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS – Coaching Staff
Farrah Douglas (Head Coach), Ricardo Ramirez & Kate Daley (Assistant Coaches), Katherine Henry & Sarah Leslie (Physiotherapists), Carrie DuBray & Jacque Harrell (Managers)
