Austin during the Cowtown 7s /// Photo: Norma Salinas Photography (see more) •
The Red River is holding its final women’s club 7s qualifier this weekend in Austin, and there’s one remaining seed to nationals for the taking. Reigning national champion American Rugby Pro Training Center (ARPTC) secured one of the region’s two berths after winning the first two qualifiers, securing 12 standings points. The Austin Valkyries (8 pts.) and Little Rock (4 pts.) will be vying for the second spot to nationals.
While Austin is confident in its place in the Red River, the team is funneling all energies and focus on Saturday.
“The past two years, we’ve wanted to qualify for nationals and it fell right out of our grasp,” Austin coach Luis Sanchez said. “We were within minutes of qualifying both years and we let it slip away. We’re faced with the same thing this year. Yes, we have the national champion in our conference and they’re leading the way, but there are other teams that could very easily get away from us. We’re aware of that.”
But the team doesn’t talk about it, “it” being the championships that could have been. Instead, the coach, along with the influential leadership of captain Danielle Ring and Rachel Haungs, focus on preparation and improvement. The trio leads a player pool that is missing six A-side starters – four of which underwent surgery – but Austin is making the best of a difficult situation.
“Injuries took a toll, but we’re fortunate to have numbers, and this experience will make the club stronger for the coming year, and next year’s 7s program,” Sanchez said. “Instead of the same 12 players you might have seen on the pitch this summer, you’ll see another 10 mixing into the competitive structure. You take it as you want, and I believe it’s a good thing.”
ARPTC, a National Development Academy, sets the standard in the Red River, and Austin uses its top opponent as a gauge for improvement.
“Last year, we didn’t know how to take it – hand-selected, top athletes and all that,” Sanchez said of ARPTC’s entry into the club 7s circuit last year. “We had to change our mentality, because playing the best week in, week out makes us stronger and makes us hungrier. We’re fortunate that that program has developed.”
Also contending in the Red River are teams like Little Rock and Houston Athletic (HARC).
“I’m pleased with what I’ve seen from Little Rock. They’re got great coaching there,” Sanchez referenced the club’s proximity to ARPTC. “Houston is a strong team, too, but for some reason, 7s isn’t in their game plan and they focus on 15s. They still turn up at tournaments and give us hell, but if they stepped it up they’d be more competitive.”
Although Austin isn’t looking past Saturday’s qualifier, the team is also ready for the trip to Colorado should it present itself.
“In years previous, there wasn’t much of a plan set,” Sanchez said. “I know they qualified four or five years ago but weren’t able to make the trip due to funding, but they’ve turned things around and [nationals] is an actual goal of ours.”
Should the Valkyries advance to the Commerce City, Colo., finals, it will be the Texans’ first trip to the national tournament.
“The main goal was make it to nationals and that’s all we’ve been focusing on,” Sanchez concluded. “We like where we’re at right now, but it could all slip away. We’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
Red River’s top seed will compete in Pool A at nationals against Atlantic North champion Old Blue, Pacific South #2 Tempe and the South runner-up (determined Saturday). The second Red River seed will compete in Pool B against Frontier rep Glendale, the Pacific North champion and Midwest runner-up (both determined July 30).
