I am going to be reviewing each position for next year, talking about returning players and incoming players. First up in the series is props.
The prop position will be one of the most competitive for next year. Not only do we return all the props from this year, but we add All-American tight-head prop Lauren Russert who was injured this year with a knee injury. This makes the position very deep, and along with the return of all the second rows the scrum looks to be strong next year.
We did struggle in the scrum against Stanford, but part of that was the inexperience of the starting props. Kelly Sager, sophomore, started the year as a center, became a flanker in the fall and then a prop in the spring. She is a very dynamic player and brings a physicality and dynamic defense that is a real plus. She started at loose-head in the National Championship game and we only expected 20-30 minutes out of her because she had a neck injury. She ended up playing 60 minutes and really dominating in the tight as the game went on. She comes in a long line of under-sized loose-heads at Penn State and she may move to hooker in the fall.
The other prop was Caitlin Singletary who is also a sophomore. This was Caitlin’s first trip to the National Championships and she did very well against Army. Stanford were crowding us and engaging early and that put a tremendous amount of pressure on the tight-head position. Caitlin did well to hold up and got better as the game went on. She brings a very strong work rate and is a very physical player.
We had two other sophomore props that were also A side starters, Lauren Poole and Jen Robertson. When they came on in the second half against Army they destroyed the Army scrum. Lauren started in last years National Championship game and came off the bench in both games in Stanford this year. If Kelly had not been injured, it was likely that Lauren would have started in the final. Lauren made the switch to tight-head this year and her power is evident from that position. When she came on against Stanford and had 2 scrums she and Kelly destroyed their scrum. She then moved over to loose-head when Kelly came out. She is a very dynamic runner when she gets the ball, and is a great defender along the fringe.
Jen Robertson played both prop and lock in the play-offs this fall. Jen is 5’10 and will be a very powerful tight-head prop in the coming year. She can be very physical and is one of our most devastating tacklers. She is a very good lifter in the line-out and when she has her body position right is very strong in the scrum. Her ability to play multiple positions well really adds to the depth of the team.
With all 4 starters returning, and all 4 coming back as juniors you would think that we would be set, but there are some great props ready to push them for traveling spots. Lauren Russert will be the obvious player to step up. Lauren was injured in the fall but came out in the spring to help out. She is very experienced and understands the front-row very well. She is coming back for her 5th year and while she was injured worked on her throwing, so she may move to hooker next year. Angela Smarto is another players that was injured this year that kept her out for most of the season. She was playing well before the injury, and has stepped up to coach the State High Women’s team, so her improved knowledge will be useful next year. Paige Willauer is one of our better technical props, but has struggled to stay healthy. Paige will be a senior in the fall and is working hard to come back in great shape to move into the traveling squad.
There are also 2 freshman then took up the sport this year and have made great strides. Gabby O’Conner is already very good in the scrum and line-out and will improve her play around the field this fall. Corie Heninnger is the other freshman prop and she brings tremendous athleticism to the position.
So there are 9 returning props, all of whom could reasonably make the traveling squad next spring. This competition will be one to watch, and live scrumming during the season in practice will be intense.
