Photo: Anne Marie Lemal Brown
The Girls’ High School All-Midwest Thunderbirds spent the 2016-17 season building toward the Ontario U18 series this summer. Head coach Garrett Fisher and staff worked with their player pool the entire year, narrowing down to a group of 24 who could push a strong provincial team in a three-game series. In the end, both North American entities benefitted from the assembly, engaging players in a next-level training environment and contesting competitive matches.
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“The goal is for more higher-level rugby to players who want it and have the talent level above state all-stars but not quite All-American level,” Fisher said of the program’s objectives. “There’s a huge gap of hungry players who deserve recognition and the high-level competition and coaching to improve. The other goal is to get these kids’ names out there to college coaches. The amount of coaches who have reached out to me for game film has really increased.”
Fisher wanted to mimic the assemblies that occur at the national age-grade and senior levels. Players were all-rugby from the moment they awoke – whether training, or watching film, or going through walk-throughs – and then played the same team, which was also in camp at Denison University, in three matches.
Clara Lemal-Brown / Photo: Tracy Struzyk
“The first game was very high paced,” Fisher said. “It was the first time that our players have seen a team that was ball hungry on defense. I told them, ‘You have to play defense to win the ball back, not just to make the tackle.’ We couldn’t string 3-4 phases together … but neither could Ontario. That was due to great ball-winners poaching and counter-rucking. It was a tight game.”
The Midwest edged Ontario 17-12 in the win, but the Storm was eager to even up in game two. In a steady downpour, the Canadians began quickly and scored two tries in the first six minutes.
“We weren’t ready for the tenacious attack that Ontario came with. They were challenging us with hard-crashing centers and forwards to open up the outside, where they took advantage of their tremendous speed on the wings,” Fisher recounted. “But then we got our heads on right and defended well. After those [first two] scores, we went 12-12.”
Driving lineout / Photo: Tracy Struzyk
Game two went to the Canadians 24-12, leaving the rubber match for game three.
“It was by far the fastest and most physical game that each side played,” Fisher said of the series decider. “We played a more territorial game and pinned Ontario in their end, so we wouldn’t have to go more than 4-5 phases to score. It worked well, and with our possession improving we could go 8-10 phases and then draw a penalty.”
The Midwest ended up converting three of four penalty attempts in the 19-12 win.
Megan Bird / Photo: Tracy Struzyk
“It was great to see this team coming together, and the cohesion and gelling as a unit happen so quickly,” Fisher said. “We took into consideration players’ GPAs when selecting, because we knew we wouldn’t have much time together and needed smart players who could think fast on their feet.”
The cohesion was driven through the team leadership of Emily Becker (Knightmares, Wisc.), Emma Conrad (Fond du Lac, Wisc.) and Tatum Johnson (North Suburban, Minn.), the captains.
“Regina Baldaldo from St. Joseph’s split time at flanker and scrumhalf, and not only did we think she played her best game, but her name was consistently popping up from those watching the game or watching film,” Fisher said of the standout. “She got huge recognition from the Canadian coaches as well.”
Regina Baldaldo / Photo: Anne Marie Lemal Brown
Fisher hopes this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship with Ontario, which was happy with the set-up, facilities and level of competition. The visitors recommended the introduction of more Canadian and U.S. teams in the future, and Fisher confirmed that he was corresponding with south and east coast all-star programs about the possibility.
Scouting for the 2017-18 season begins quickly, as Thunderbird staff will be eying those Midwest states that are active in the fall. For those aging out of the high school all-stars, there is still opportunity.
“They understand that their names are being given to [Midwest U24 all-star coach] Jeff Noe, and that this program is just the start,” Fisher said. “They know about the U24s and their tour to Ireland, and they start to realize the opportunities out there to see and play more.”
HS ALL-MIDWEST TEAM
Regina Baldaldo – St. Joseph Academy, OhioMaria Bashmakov – Carmel, Ind.
Emily Becker – Knightmares, Wisc.
Zoe Bierce – Knightmares, Wisc.
Megan Bird – Oak Creek, Wisc.Maia Breeden – Hudson, Ohio
Kpenkai Carter – Armstrong, Minn.Emma Conrad – Fond du Lac, Wisc.Halie Fancil – Warsaw, Ind.Bethany Gable – Grandville, Mich.Sophia Haley – Hopkins, Minn.Saher Hamden – Lakewood, OhioQuarille Howard – Hopkins, Minn.Tatum Johnson – North Suburban, Minn.Emma Jones – Pike, Ind.Clara Lemal-Brown – Hudson, OhioNatalie Locke – Warsaw, Ind.Bella Lubsey – Bruisers, Wisc.Lina Lucas – Avon, Ind.Emily Morris – Pulaski, Wisc.
Areliz Rivera – Bruisers, Wisc.Matja Saarenheimo-VanderHorst – Grandville, Mich.
Hannah Struzyk – Armstrong, Minn.MiKayla Tatum – Pike, Ind.