On February 8th Penn State rugby met at East Area Locker Room awaiting the start of a long journey to Las Vegas, NV. Traveling through the JFK airport, the men and women's team looked unified in their matching crest T's and backpacks. For the first time, the women's team sent a 12 person roster to compete in the sevens elite division. The roster included Sadie Anderson, Kyle Armstrong, Brie Barto, Catie Benson, Elena Cantorna, Jackie Giordano, Kasey Ferlic, Kate Flanagan, Margaret Leonard, Olivia Lindsey, Kelsey Harris, and Kellie Vetter. They entered the elite women's bracket knowing that they would face challenges on the field, but overcoming the challenges one game at a time proved to be the success of the weekend.
On Thursday, the team played The Mighty Ruckers, Alder Sevens, and the Guelph Gryphons. Though not a try was scored, Penn State built good shape, and played a strong sevens defense. On Friday, they were defeated in the morning but won their second and last game of the weekend with a shut out, putting together all lessons learned and by continuously working for each other on the field.
On Friday and Saturday, the women's team along with parents, alumni, and other Penn State fans gathered on the sidelines to watch the men put up a good fight in a total of four games. Within the stadium, the cheering section for former Penn State player Deven Owsiany could be heard echoing as she took the field as hooker for team USA. The Penn State section went wild when Deven scored the first try for the USA, overcome with emotions of pride. The traveling team finished out the weekend by watching all the international men's teams compete in the stadium, watching the best of the best play rugby sevens, one of the fastest growing sports in the USA.
A special thanks to the alumni, who helped
sponsor the trip and provided support on the sidelines all the way in Las Vegas.
To the parents who showed their pride: the love for the team shows in the miles
you travel, and the genuine care you have for every member of the club. The
coaches helped make everything happen and led to a very successful and
enjoyable trip out west, away from the bitter cold State College weather in the
middle of February.
Leave a comment