South Looks to Defend RAN 10s Title

The Rugby Americas North (RAN) Superweek is currently underway in Miramar, Fla., and the second annual women’s 10s tournament will commence on Thursday, July 20. Reigning champion USA South has returned and brings a diverse squad back to Florida to defend its title.

RELATED: USA South Wins 1st RAN 10s • 2017 RAN Superweek • RAN 10s Schedule & Results

But that wasn’t head coach Chris Martin’s original intention. Three weeks before the RAN 10s was to kick off, the previously appointed USA South Women’s head coach withdrew, citing an inability to assemble a team. Mark Williams of the South U19 program then approached Martin, who had been leading Lee University’s men’s and women’s teams, as well as the Tennessee girls’ high school all-star program the previous two seasons. Williams asked whether Martin could get a team together in the time allotted, and the job was his.

“My philosophy was originally to stay in the South,” Martin explained roster selections. “If I had been afforded the time table to do so, I would have hosted tryouts in the South and been willing to look at any and all willing to make the journey to tryout and train. As we were on a short time table, I had to select. My primary mode of selection was to contact coaches across the South, both collegiate and senior side, and give them a description of the women I was looking for.”

Martin was looking for the “try hards,” as he coined them, who emblematize work rate, skill and positive attitude. “The ones willing to put in the extra effort when their lungs feel like they are drowning in the humidity and heat of South Florida in July.”

The coach contacted coaches from Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas and Florida, reviewed available film, and then sent out 26 invites. Eighteen declined, and so the search had to broaden.

Martin then connected with Glendale’s Nichole Wanamaker, who had played in Nashville before moving out to Colorado. She was eager to play and her connections saw another Raptor and two Beantown players join. Martin then added two collegians who had competed alongside two of his Lee players on the NSCRO Selects at the CRC 7s.

“Many of our forwards are loose forwards to begin with, and I was seeking a single traditional prop to bring some more solidity to the front row,” Martin reflected on one important roster gap. “I contacted Brad Richards of Raleigh again, and we brought on his prop/hook Sara Lundy last week.

“All of the girls have been extremely flexible on such a short time table, working to get travel and funding together, as well as learning plays and mentally prepping, in less than three weeks,” the coach added.

Raleigh’s Sara Lundy /// Photo: Colleen McCloskey

The team has been e-mailed instruction for things like set pieces and will have two classroom sessions, 2-3 field sessions and a captain’s run to put it all together. Wanamaker will be squad captain and charged with facilitating team chemistry as well as pushing the game plan.

“Wana will be my right hand,” Martin explained. “She takes her rugby very seriously, and is a person that is easy to love and respect. I have not had the pleasure of making friends with her, but I saw her play for [Middle Tennessee State University] and Nashville back in the day, and have heard plenty on her very intentional pursuit of rugby. Her field presence from the flyhalf helm will be a good axis for our team. The girls will be in good hands with her guiding.”

Games begin on Thursday, July 20, and the USA South will play Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica on day one. On Friday, the Panthers will play Mexico, and the fourth round will determine place.

USA Rugby South – RAN 10s
KC Byrd – Ravenwood, Tenn.
Kala Clanton – Charlotte, N.C.
Madeline Clark – Charlotte, N.C.
Courtney Coffee – Kennesaw State, Ga.
Cerrin Eldridge – Raleigh, N.C.
Misha Green – SUNY Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Alli Hale – Glendale, Colo.
Veronica Hill – Nashville, Tenn.
Lauren Judkins – Lee University, Tenn.
Erica Long – California Univ. of Pennsylvania
Sara Lundy – Raleigh, N.C.
Kat Phelan – Beantown, Mass.
Mariah Pruitt – McMinn Tribe, Tenn.
Claire Stingley – Beantown, Mass.
Nichole Wanamaker – Glendale, Colo.

RAN10s RugbyAmericasNorth USASouth