NorCal 7s champs / Photos: Lisa Hilger (view more)
Land Park (Calif.) is bringing three girls’ teams (as is Idaho Grey Wolves) to the North American Invitational (NAI) 7s this Friday-Saturday. The Sacramento-area club, which is also fielding one boys’ team, will be represented in the U14, U16 and U18 Elite divisions. The girls’ rosters are approximately 80% Land Park, with Danville and Gridley also supplying players.
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Land Park has remained busy since its fourth-place finish at the high school club national tournament. The team contributed nine players to the NorCal varsity and JV teams that featured at the Great Northwest Challenge, the Regional Cup Tournament in Oregon. Mary Jibok, Olivia Popp, Destiny Nash and Lexia Reynolds were named to the all-tournament teams. Jibok, Nash, Popp and Leireena Anjolok were then invited to the Girls’ High School All-American (GHSAA) camp, and Anjolok was offered a spot on the GHSAA team currently competing against the Canada U18s in Ottawa, Canada.
The Harlequins then transitioned to NorCal 7s and won the series title in Dixon, Calif., last weekend. The team also won the Gridley Invitational, which featured Canadian competition.
“Our biggest 7s test to date was the Raymond Comets from Canada. They play very similar to Upright,” Land Park assistant coach Curtis Popp looked toward the reigning NAI U18 Girls’ Elite champion from Canada. This year, however, Upright Rugby is suppling a team to the U18 Girls’ Open bracket and won’t be able to defend its Elite trophy.
The Harlequins won two of three games against the Comets by close margins, including the championship. Popp praised the work of hosts Gridley and Rugby NorCal for putting together a stellar, fun event. The teams will now enjoy the top-notch facilities at the Regional Athletic Complex in the picturesque Salt Lake City. The U14s will compete in a four-team middle school division – a first for the tournament; the U16s in a five-team open division; and U18s in a six-team Elite bracket.
Games begin Friday morning Mountain time. Visit www.nai7s.com for more information.
LAND PARK / NAI 7s
U14 Girls
Hannah Cabarles – Gale Ranch
Lizbeth Figueroa – Walnut Creek
Elesia Fuentes – Sycamore
Andrea Gaskins – Bradshaw Christian
Kyra Guerra – Britton
Maya Hilger – Sacramento Waldorf
Kathryn Hingano – Orchard School
Lizah Hingano – Orchard School
Rachel Lowe – Orinda
Jorgie Miller – Oak Park Prep
Promise Rouse – Heritage Peak Charter
U16 Girls
Leireena Anjolok – CKM
Daisy Chanthavong – Burbank
Jyzelle Duran – Los Lamos
Izabella Fredericks – Live Oak
Sofia Hilger – Mira Loma
Mary Jibok – Burbank
Olivia Martinez – CKM
Jackie Miller – Sacramento
Destiny Nash – CKM
Olivia Popp – CKM
Lexia Reynolds – Rio Linda
Rubina Anej – Florin
U18 Elite Girls
Diama Baleisuva – Health Professionals
Michael Curry – Gridley
Lilliana Farias – CKM
Claire Fetros – CKM
Sadie Holtwarren – CKM
Qiera Nixon – CKM
Lexia Reynolds – Rio Linda
Olivia Soares – Gridley
Briyonna Shelton – Valley
Savannah Stinson – CKM