NCR Release
National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) has formed 16 Conference All Star Teams that will compete for the Women’s 7s National Cup in Houston. The tournament takes place on January 22-23 at the Houston Sabercats’ facility.
The All Star tournament has expanded significantly since it was last played in 2020 and now includes Division I and Small College players. Over 200 players, representing over 65 schools, were selected based on tryouts and coach nominations.
NCR will live stream most matches via its YouTube channel and other social media sites.
The All Stars tournament is used as a platform for selection to the NCR Women’s Select 7s Program which most recently competed in the 2021 Falcon 7s Tournament hosted by the American Rugby Pro Training Center.Division I Conference All Star TeamsAllegheny
Head Coach: Hannah Henry, Kent StateAssistant Coaches: Haleigh Kelter, Kent State; Michelle Fretwell, Kent State; Kiyomi Knox, Pittsburgh ForgeGreat Waters
Head Coach: Xane Gerasimo, UW StoutAssistant Coach: Mike Good, CommissionerMid America
Head Coach: Oksana Goretaya, Benedictine CollegeAssistant Coach: Katie Scott, Drury UniversityMidwest
Head Coach: Meghan Flanigan, Northern IowaAssistant Coach: Kelsie McDowell, Iowa State UniversityOhio Valley
Head Coach: Dakota Nelson, IUPUI
Assistant Coach: John English, DenisonManager: Marc Ferguson, Tiffin UniversitySouth Atlantic
Head Coach: Tom Petit, Coastal CarolinaManager: Alley Mitchell, CommissionerTexas
Head Coach: Kris Karsten, U. TexasAssistant Coach: Chris Botto, LeTourneau U.Upstate New York
Head Coach: Meredith Pyke, U.Rochester
Assistant Coaches: Emily Grey, U. Rochester; Leah Smelzter, SUNY BrockportManager: Hannah Riter
Small College Conference All Star TeamsAllegheny
Head Coach: Hannah Henry, Kent StateAssistant Coaches: Haleigh Kelter, Kent State; Michelle Fretwell, Kent State; Kiyomi Knox, Pittsburgh ForgeColonial Coast
Head Coach: Carly Baker, Endicott CollegeAssistant Coach: Keith Cattanach, CommissionerEastern Pennsylvania
Head Coach: Scott Stratton, CommissionerAssistant Coaches: Ali Tare, Asst. Commissioner; Chris Ward, Moravian UniversityGreat Waters
Head Coach: Xane Gerasimo, UW StoutAssistant Coach: Mike Good, CommissionerNorthern LightsHead Coach: Greg White, St. ScholasticaOhio Valley
Head Coach: Stephanie “Parma” Bowers, Denison University
Assistant Coach: John English, DenisonManager: Marc Ferguson, Tiffin UniversityPrairie StatesHead Coach: Cady Olson, South Dakota StateUpstate New York
Head Coach: Meredith Pyke, U.Rochester
Assistant Coaches: Emily Grey, U. Rochester; Leah Smelzter, SUNY BrockportManager: Hannah Riter
Angela Smarto, NCR Women’s Director, remarked, “Revitalizing this event to include the Division I schools is our covenant between our traditional small college participants and expanding Division I programs. Providing play-up and coach-up opportunities is crucial to women’s rugby development, and we’re committed to providing those opportunities to all members.”
The full player rosters will be released during the week of January 17.
