Stars Rugby XVs Women Traveling to Lindenwood

                     

FOR RELEASE

09 October 2016

Stars Rugby 7s inaugural tour  took place in 2014 at the Las Vegas Invitational featuring players from the USA, Canada and Australia. One of those first players hailed from the newest varsity women's collegiate program at Lindenwood University and Amanda Divich (nee Martin) will once again be sporting the Stars #10 jersey taking on her alma mater in the first Stars Rugby XVs vs LU clash. Since that first tour Divich has suited up & captained the Stars Rugby 7s side in Tobago (2014) and Las Vegas (2015) and led her LU Lions side in D1 & D1 Elite 15s as well as USA Rugby 7s Nationals and the Collegiate Rugby Championship. 

Divich was the first of many Lions to represent the program with Stars -- in 2015 in Las Vegas Georgia Page (Stars #66), Jolene Steibel (#67) and Anne Marie Reed (#71) and made their Stars debuts; of that trio Steibel competed again with the Stars in the 2015 Calgary Stampede 7s tournament, Page spent time with the team at the 2015 Byron Bay 7s & Central Coast 7s in Australia, and Reed matriculated at LU in the fall of 2016 and will suit up for the Lions against the Stars this weekend. Sierra (SiSi) Gribble (#82) came to the Stars on that same Stampede 7s tour in 2015, then hailing from Sacramento State and transferring to LU for fall 2015. LU alumnae Morgan Crowell and Annalise Evans are the newest Lions to join the Stars program playing prop and #8 against their former team.

The tradition and growth of the Stars and LU programs have been long intertwined with players, coaches and staff from both teams having spent time at the American Rugby Pro Training Center camps (players Cyndi Campbell and Abby Smith of this Stars roster, Nene Persinger, Hannah Gauthreaux and MacKenzie Hawkins of LU, Stars Coach Anna Kunkel, LU Coach Billy Nicholas, and Stars Director Liz Entwhistle) and with many of the Lions representing with Atlantis in Tobago and Las Vegas against the Stars. The teams also share lineage with the Old Blue Women's 7s program -- LU Coach Nicholas led Old Blue to the USA Rugby 7s National Championship in 2014 where they fell to the San Diego Surfers with Stars and Lions both on the squad. Stars players including Kaitlyn (KB) Broughton (#34), Tiana Granby (#56), Corinne Heavner (#48), Phaidra Knight (#3), Shamira Robles (#54), Amy Verdonik (#92) have come to/from the Old Blue ranks the past 3 summers.

This year's Stars 15s roster features several new names with many players coming to the team from Coach Anna Kunkel's Kansas City Jazz and MidAmerica Selects teams including Julie Bode, Anna Clouse, Alissa Lockard and Abby Smith. With week-of roster changes (the Minnesota Valkyries were set to send as many as 6 women this weekend but scheduled a last minute scrimmage) Stars also added a few players from the local Saint Louis Sabres courtesy of Director Liz Entwhistle's former Chicago Women's Rugby teammate Elizabeth (Lu) Morrison. Flyhalf Tori King returns to Stars after a strong showing on the Cape Fear 7s and Calgary Stampede 7s tours in July 2016 and introduces her Wichita Valkyries teammate Amanda Urbanek to the mix.  Scrumhalf/center Angela Cole of the DC Furies is one of two Stars that have represented on the Capital Selects team out of the Washington, DC area.

Despite being in the heart of the fall collegiate 15s season, the Stars welcome Simpson College veteran Katelyn (KB) Behounek was originally slated for this summer's Stampede tour but was unable to travel; her 2015 NSCRO 7s Championship pedigree will add strength a back three trio that also features Illinois U-23 All Star Jess Dombrowski of Illinois State University, scouted at the 2016 Midwest U-23 All Star Championships, and speedster Abby Smith. The W1823 sevens program also sends a few representatives -- flanker Chip Bell of Tiffin University was recognized for her strong play with a spot on the 2016 NSCRO All-Stars at this year's CRCs  while center Cyndi Campbell of Ohio State University is no stranger to USA Rugby Women's Collegiate All American camps earning invites for both 15s and 7s alike.  Hannah Graham plays her rugby with the Saint Louis Sabres while studying at Mizzou and former USA Rugby High School All American Sarah Niswander has been seeing time with the University of Iowa, the newest addition to Midwest Division 1.

The roster is rounded out with a strong 2nd row pairing in Emma Wedel of North Dakota State University and Rian Van Nordheim, a San Diego Surfer alum now captaining James River and seeing time with the Capital Selects. Van Nordheim played with the Stars at Cape Fear 7s and will continue a month high level rugby in traveling to Australia for Stars 7s tour October 11th-25th, back again with Stars 15s against Life University on November 12th. 

Coach Anna Kunkel is making her Stars debut as well and tackles an interesting challenge with the team having convened in St Charles just the night before the match. She inherits a  strong roster with years of cumulative rugby experience despite the majority of the squad being under the age of 23. As a veteran coach at many USA Rugby Age-Grade assemblies, Coach Kunkel is certainly qualified to lead the team and has prepared the players with advanced emails detailing attacking structures and support play. With a mantra of simple rugby executed well, of attacking behind the defense and going for the try, the team will make quick work of Sunday morning classroom session, a walkthrough to institute the game plan and create cohesive set pieces. Coach Nic Benson is coaching on his third Stars tour and will oversee defensive schemes with extra focus on backs play. The services of physio Kemba Noel-London, also on her third Stars tour, will prove invaluable as most of the team played league matches Saturday with their home clubs. 

Stars Rugby 7s is honored to play this match versus Lindenwood University and thrilled for the future development of both programs. A high school girls match serves as the curtain raiser for Sunday's clash which is being billed as a Breast Cancer Awareness match. The teams will be selling RUGBY headbands at the gate with profits donated to the American Cancer Society. LU will sport pink socks for the game while Stars have pink headbands/armbands.

Roster

Katelyn (KB) Behounek - wing - Simpson College

Chip Bell - flanker/8/center - Tiffin University
Julie Bode - prop - KC Jazz

Cyndi Campbell - center - The Ohio State University
Anna "Dozer" Clouse - prop - KC Jazz

Angela Cole - center - DC Furies
/Morgan Crowell - prop - at large
/*Amanda Divich - scrumhalf/flyhalf/wing - at large
Jess Dombrowski - fullback/hooker - Illinois State University

*Liz Entwhistle - 2nd row/prop - at large

/Annalise Evans - 8/flanker/prop - Little Rock Stormers
*T Fletcher - 8/flanker - Raleigh Venom

Hannah Groom - flanker - University of Missouri/Saint Louis Stormers 

/*Sierra Gribble - wing - at large
*Tori King - flyhalf/center - Wichita Valkyries
Allissa Lockard - wing/lock - KC Jazz

Elizabeth (Lu) Morrison - hooker/prop - St Louis Sabres

Sarah Niswander  - hooker - University of Iowa
Abby Smith - wing - KC Jazz
/*Jolene Steibel - fullback/wing - Little Rock Stormers

Amanda Urbanek - scrumhalf - Wichita Valkyries
*Rian Van Nordheim - 2nd row - James River
Emma Wedel - flanker/8 - North Dakota State University

Head Coach: Anna Kunkel, Kansas City
Assistant Coach: Nic Benson, San Diego

Physio: Kemba Noel-London

Director: Liz Entwhistle, Chicago

*indicates veteran of previous Stars tours

/ indicates veteran of Lindenwood University

Stars Rugby 7s Tobago 7s Roster

The rosters for our Tobago International Rugby Sevens Tournament tour run deep with experience with 35 players selected  for one men's and two women's teams. Five players have been capped at the International 7s level while several more have been selected to the regional USA Rugby National Development Academies. Alumni of the HSAA and U-20 Eagles teams pair with Serevi Athletes and Serevi Institute members, more that have attended the Serevi Residency Camps, players from USA South 7s and 15s, those from the Armed Forces, and women from the American Pro Rugby Training Center High Performance 7s Camps.

The tour features athletes ranging in ages from 18-40, from the D3 club level to the World Class Athlete Program, from D2 colleges to the WPL, and we bring in three members of the Old Blue Women's 7s side that made it to the USA Rugby Club 7s National Championship Game. While the roster is mostly US based we continue the Stars tradition of guest athletes with men from Australia and Canada on the roster. We boast an experienced international coaching staff with national team caps of their own to guide the teams.

The Tobago 7s roster features a mix of talent and experience that represents what I believe are our strongest Stars teams to date. Months of scouting at collegiate matches, USA Club 7s Nationals, Serevi Rugbytown 7s, Elite City 7s, the ARPTC, ACRA playoffs, during previous Stars tours, and game evaluations at last weekend's New York 7s will bring together a fantastic group of athletes Tobago. Our player pool is nearing 300 athletes interested in playing higher level 7s and in continuing their development.

This tour will allow young players like Kaitlin (KB) Broughton of Oklahoma and Rontrice Thomas of Tennessee their first chances to challenge themselves at an elite level. Their impressive fitness scores and the recommendations of opposing coaches have provided them the opportunity to showcase their speed alongside the hard runs and bruising hits of current 7s Eagle Nana Fa'Avesi (who scored her first WSWS try in Dubai earlier today) and former 15s/7s Eagle Phaidra Knight. Tiara Littleton & Cara Thayer continue their development playing on their 3rd Stars tours; Tiara brings added experience from Fiji's Coral Coast 7s in November. Fehi Schaaf will bring her experiences from the USA U-20 level and debut for the Stars with fellow Californians Tee Stroughter and Angelina Lomu f San Francisco Golden Gate. Jen Harig of Davenport University, Corinne Heavner of Penn State, and Shamira Robles of AIC are a trio of Stars from elite collegiate programs that earned invites after the ARPTC HP7s camp while Amanda Divich brings scrumhalf/flyhalf experience from Lindenwood University.

The men have more experience, depth and positional skills than on any tour in the past. We return five players from the Australia Central Coast 7s tour including Jojo Tikoisuva who was invited to/ attended Fiji's Dubai 7s camp with Coach Ben Ryan. It is noteworthy that both Jojo and Cody Weber suffered injuries in Australia and were not available for the full set of tournament games. Australian Rugby League crossover Eddie Paea, formerly of the Rabbitohs, joins us once again fresh from Dubai 7s and will find hard running options in forwards Eric Duechle and Marcus Satavu - familiar names to anyone who has followed the Eagles men's 7s team. Kyle Granby of the Northeast ODA comes in as a speedy wing/flyhalf option while Joe Senteno adds another scrumhalf/sweeper option - anyone who saw him play for Air Force 7s at the the last two Serevi Rugbytown 7s will be familiar with his try-saving tackles.

Stars Rugby 7s Tobago 7s Rosters
Men
Zach Blalock - Birmingham Rugby Club/Atlanta Old White/Life ODA

Eric Duechle - WCAP/Serevi Institute
Amro Guda - Charlotte Rugby Club/Life ODA
Kyle Granby - NYAC/Northeast ODA
Jonathan Halter - Gainesville Hogs/Florida 7s
*Chris Milledge - Charlotte Rugby Club/Life ODA
Mitch Millett - St Albert RFC (Canada)
*Eddie Paea - Eastern Suburbs (Australia)/Tonga 7s
Marcus Satavu - OMBAC/Bulldog Rugby
Joe Senteno - Downtown Rugby Club (Las Vegas)/Air Force 7s
*Saula (Junior) Sucu - Washington Rugby Club (DC)
*Jojo Tikoisuva - Sacramento Lions
Antoine Turner - Life West Gladiators
*Cody Weber - Kansas City Blues

Women
Kaitlyn (KB) Broughton: Oklahoma Roses
Judy Dickson: Atlanta Harlequins
*Amanda Divich: Lindenwood University
*Liz Entwhistle: Fort Miami/W1823
*Joanne (Nana) Fa'Avesi: Sacramento Amazons/USA 7s
*Kat Gorham: North Shore (Boston)
*Jen Harig: Davenport University
Corinne Heavner: Penn State Univeristy/Old Blue Women
Courtney Jessamy: Charlotte Rugby Club
Phaidra Knight: Old Blue Women
*Tiara Littleton: Dallas Harlequins
Angelina Lomu: San Francisco Golden Gate
*Toni Lloyd: Allen Griffins
Michelle Perna: Seattle Saracens/Serevi Institute
Shamira Robles: American International College/Old Blue Women
Gardenia (Fehi) Schaaf: Sacramento Amazons
Tiana (Tee) Strougher: San Francisco Golden Gate
*Cara Thayer: South Buffalo Sinners
Rontrice Thomas: Knoxville Minx
Sarah Thomas: Wisconsin Rugby Club
Lauren (LT) Turner: Scioto Valley/W1823
Kassidi Wynter: Atlanta Harlequins

Coaches:
*Orene Ai'i - New Zealand
Vaha Esikia - Las Vegas Rugby Academy/UNLV/Rugby12
*Liam Hutchinson: Bow Valley Grizzlies/Wildrose Academy/Rugby Alberta (Canada)

Stars Director:
*Liz Entwhistle

*Members of Previous Stars Tours

Women's Old Blue 7s

Last year at 7s Nationals my Chicago Lions Women's team had the good fortune to stay at the same hotel as the New York Old Blue Men's 7s side. They kindly leant us an inflated rugby ball for a quick training session the Friday before the tournament (we wanted to perfect some lineout lifts with fairly new jumpers and also needed to just move around after a 5am road trip from Chicago to Pittsburgh). Fast forward a few months later and all the sudden @WOldBlueRFC is following me on twitter and more conversations began.

That men's team placed 3rd at Nationals last summer, beating our Lions men in the 3rd/4th place game, and they have a long standing tradition of high performance. Several of their players represented the USA as part of the New York City 7s side at the World Club 7s Championships at Twickenham last summer. Several more have continued to play at a very high level with the Northeast ODA program. It is fairly thrilling that they have committed to introducing a women's side and are already planning and recruiting such that it should equal the men's side in terms of success. 

As it became evident that their commitment to developing the women's 7s game is on par with our Stars mission, I asked Coach Billy Nicholas to share some information on the program and he quickly responded:

Old Blue RFC Men’s team has experienced five decades of success in rugby 15s and 7s and has started a Women’s 7s team which be competing in this upcoming women’s sevens summer season. 

The Old Blue Men’s 7s program has placed many players on the Eagles 7s team, has won nearly every 7s tournament it has entered, won two national championships and is a perennial men’s club 7s finalist.  Old Blue RFC intends to bring the same 7s structure that has been successful for the Old Blue men to our new women’s 7s program. The team will have access to great training facilities and will operate under an elite team structure of practice and a full summer tournament schedule. Old Blue Women’s 7s will be entering 2 teams in each tournament this summer. 

We expect to attract but not limited to, college-aged players and recent college graduates. We believe there is a group of young players with huge potential that has yet to be fully tapped into. We want to enable up and coming players the chance to be surrounded by a competitive environment of teammates, facilities and coaches with experience select side rugby and cultivating players talent for advancement in the USA and Olympic 7s pools.

We want to give interested players a chance to come back each summer and cultivate their skills with players from across the country. They may compete against one another during the year but will get a chance to come together each summer. This team will focus on player development and player advancement at local/national and international sides. We have a great National program and our team is designed to continue to support the success of our National team.

If you have an interest in spending a few months in one of the greatest cities in the world and playing elite level 7’s in an competitive environment, then this should be a club at the top of both of those lists. Stay tuned for more upcoming announcements including player profiles, practice and tournament information. 

Players who are interested should contact Old Blue at WoldBLUErfc@gmail.com

 

Visit or message us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Woldbluerfc

Twitter: @woldbluerfc