USA Rugby has named its 2019 U.S. Pan American Games Women’s Sevens team. The Games will take place from July 26 to August 11 with rugby played from July 26-28.
The 12 player roster will feature 10 players who played in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, reaching second in the world rankings, claiming five medals including their first ever Gold. and qualifying for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
The team is led by General Manager Emilie Bydwell with Jordan Gray and Kristi Kirshe serving as Co-Captains.
In addition to the senior Women’s Sevens players, the team will include Ari Ramsey and Emily Henrich of Dartmouth College. Henrich is a capped Eagle in fifteens who will join the sevens squad following the Women’s Rugby Super Series in San Diego. She recently won the annual MA Sorenson Award given to one of the best female collegiate rugby players in the country. Ramsey joins the group after an impressive performance at USA Rugby’s College Sevens National Championships where she helped Dartmouth win their first ever silver in the competition.
At the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games, the USA women earned a silver medal. The 2015 event marked the first ever inclusion for Women’s Rugby Sevens with the men debuting in the previous cycle in 2011.
The 2019 event will kick off with the Opening Ceremony on July 26 with both women’s and men’s rugby sevens taking place July 26-28. Broadcast details and a full schedule will be confirmed closer to date.
2019 U.S. Pan American Games Women’s Sevens Roster*
PLAYER NAME |
POSITION |
CLUB/PROGRAM |
Kayla Canett |
Scrumhalf / Flyhalf |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Cheta Emba |
Prop |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Jordan Gray |
Prop |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Abby Gustaitis |
Prop / Hooker |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Emily Henrich |
Prop / Center |
Dartmouth College |
Kristi Kirshe |
Center / Wing |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Ilona Maher |
Prop / Center |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Kasey McCravey |
Hooker / Flyhalf |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Alena Olsen |
Scrumhalf / Flyhalf |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Ari Ramsey |
Scrumhalf / Wing |
Dartmouth College |
Stephanie Rovetti |
Flyhalf / Center |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
Naya Tapper |
Wing / Prop |
USA Sevens Residency Program |
*All Pan American Games roster nominations are pending final approval of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
2019 U.S. Pan American Games Women’s Sevens Staff
General Manager & Head Coach | Emilie Bydwell
Assistant Coach/Strength & Conditioning | Matt Long
Performance Analyst | Dave Gardner
Team Leader | Liz Strohecker
Athletic Trainer | Nicole Titmas
Team Physician | Dr. Alexandra Myers