Photos: Jessie Barely
State College ended its regular season with a 26-0 win over Downingtown Saturday, capping a 4-1 spring that has placed the team atop the league standings. State College will not, however, contest the Pennsylvania state championship this weekend, as it conflicts with the Girls’ Single-School National Championship in Elkhart, Ind.
RELATED: Single-School National Championship Info • HS Club National Championship Info • Nationals’ Live-stream
“We intend to go out there and represent Pennsylvania well,” State College coach Bernie Cantorna said. “We don’t come out here and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to win this championship.’ We focus on growth as people and players, and the trip to nationals has always been a great part of that journey. They see players from around the country, high-level rugby, college coaches – it opens their eyes to the opportunities out there and legitimizes what we’re doing. Nationals is the last piece of the journey and we embrace it.”
Approximately half of the team competed in the 2016 national tournament, and the senior leadership has been crucial this season. Cantorna began his campaign for Centre County District Attorney after Thanksgiving, and the veterans have been instrumental in sustaining the team’s success.
“They did all the work themselves,” Cantorna said. “They set the culture, have been developing players, and have done a lot of the leading this year.”
The coach acknowledged selectors Darina Roe and Marissa Willson, captain Ali Wicks, and fellow seniors Emma Lusk, Katelyn Heist and Mari Holliday for taking control of the squad. Cantorna also leaned on the Penn State-fed coaching staff that features daughter Gabby, captain Fran Schaeffer, Gianna Soloman, Robyn Mertz, Ellie Fromstein, Courtney Williams, Corinne Heavner, as well as alumni Annie Zeigler Reyes and Shawn Smith. This connection is also part of a journey, one that has seen many alumni go on to coach their own teams – including Cassie Stockhausen, coach for Saturday opponent Downingtown.
During the Northeast Invitational, Lance Connolly stepped in as guest coach. He oversaw the blooding of new players, which was the objective of that late-April weekend.
“I’m very deliberate about how we bring new players through,” Cantorna explained the mixed sides at the Northeast Invitational. “We don’t just throw new players into a game; we want to keep them through the season. It was the first opportunity for the vast majority of our first-years for a competitive game.”
In addition to the talented seniors, look for players like Gigi Agliardo and Joannah Skucek, who along with Roe, have experience with the Girls’ High School All-Americans. They’ll have the tough task of taking on Catholic Memorial High in the single-school quarterfinals Saturday. The Crusaders finished second at the Midwest championship at the end of April.
The single-school national championship will occur Saturday-Sunday, May 20-21 in Elkhart, Ind., and the high school club national championship will occur Friday-Saturday, May 19-20 in the same location. The Rugby Breakdown will be on-site for the national championship, so stay tuned. Also visit Midwest Youth Rugby for more info from the host.
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