Photos: Kat Stutesman
The Rocky Mountain’s Division I collegiate conference expanded into a six-team league, and unlike previous seasons, all members are vying for inclusion in the USA Rugby DI Fall Championship. Utah State and Montana State have joined from DI; New Mexico is no longer DI Elite; and the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) is still the team to beat.
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Air Force has featured in the previous two fall title matches and won the 2016 trophy over repeat finalist UCONN. Since then, the program has received a boost in interest, especially as members donned their championship rings (a symbol of a different rite of passage at the academy). The squad is still very young, with at least half of the team rooted in the freshman class, “which isn’t an issue, but a plus, especially if we can retain them,” said USAFA coach Amy Rusert, who explained that attrition will occur as officers-in-training invest in their career paths. “We understand that we’ll always be advancing with a younger team.”
Rusert is joined by husband Scott Mears and Skip Shackelford on the coaching staff, and they’re working with approximately 40 cadets. USAFA has added developmental and other friendlies onto its schedule to get those numbers more playing time.
“We have a great group; we always do. Even if there are losses or attrition, we’re always making lemonade,” said Rusert. “One thing we have found is how critically important depth is – but treating that depth equally and equitably, fully integrating everyone and not differentiating between A and B sides.”
“Next woman up,” a team motto, draws on the value of developing depth and interchangeability. Ideally, any player who takes the pitch for Air Force will have a full understanding of the team’s patterns and systems.
“The other thing is we don’t rely on the strength of individual players,” Rusert continued. “Over a dozen cadets scored in the first three games. … It’s nice to be able to attack from all over the field and not necessarily rely on a small arsenal of attackers and scorers.”
But there are certainly some standouts. Noelle Heiser is in the middle of the action at flyhalf and she serves as captain. She’s also one of two main kickers, has slotted 16 conversions and a penalty, and scored a try for 40 points so far. Jacqueline Hamby has kicked eight conversions in addition to her try. Wing Sarah Stinson leads the tries-scored category with eight, and is followed by notables like Olufunmilayo Akinlosotu (5), Ashlee Salato (3) and Kelsie O’Brien (3).
Rusert made special mention of back row Lauren Fortney, who served as captain last year and stepped aside once her military obligations increased after landing a pilot spot.
“She is absolutely an anchor on this team, on and off the field,” the coach said. “She does a tremendous amount of work – really great work rate on both sides of the ball.”
Several players have attended National All-Star Competitions and/or competed on Atavus or Armed Forces squads. O’Brien was handpicked for a WPL Elite Waiver, which allows the collegian to play in three WPL games while in-season with Air Force. These waivers target athletes who’ve been identified for the USA Rugby player pathway, and O’Brien started for Glendale against ORSU last weekend. Life University and Atlanta Harlequins have also taken advantage of the waiver.
O’Brien took her place at scrumhalf as Air Force defeated Colorado, Utah State and New Mexico by a combined 211-30 so far this season. The team will round out league with road games against Colorado State and Montana State. The conference champion will be named on season-end standings and then head directly to the DI fall quarterfinals, the locations of which have not yet been announced.
The Zoomies were originally supposed to play Navy in Maryland this weekend, but larger Air Force needs canceled the team’s transportation. Since the club program relies on fan/family/alumnae donations to afford post-season travel, coach Rusert wasn’t eager to cannibalize the team’s support for an extra away fixture. Air Force will however play Army on Nov. 3, and that home match will be a good litmus test in advance of the playoffs.
“As a team we talk about executing and how winning is a byproduct of executing,” Rusert explained how the team speaks about defending the DI fall title. “It’s top of mind and they’re putting in the work to get to that final game.
“They’re enjoying rugby and that’s half the battle,” the coach said.
For more information on the Rocky Mountain conference, click here. More information regarding the women’s college regional and fall championships will be circulated as soon as it’s made available.
