Scion captain Lauren Rhode / Photos: Colleen McCloskey
After a runner-up finish at the New York 7s, Scion Rugby Academy went undefeated en route to the Rugby Barbados World 7s title last weekend. The four U.S.-based teams took the top-four spots in the women’s division, with Scion going 6-0 and Northeast Academy, Titans and Atlantis finishing 4-2 apiece.
RELATED: View the women’s rosters • Rugby Barbados World 7s homepage
Scion brought its youngest team – 23 years old the average – to an international tournament, and added some first-timers to the neon green jersey, but the staff did its homework on players.
“Even though they may not have played for Scion in the past, they were players that we knew would seamlessly fit into our system,” Scion founder Joanne Liu explained. “Credit to the hard work and training that they did in the day prior to mentally prepare themselves, because they all bought in and worked really well together.”
Fortunately, the team had veteran leadership in players like captain Lauren Rhode, and two of Scion’s longest-serving members, Kiki Morgan and Maggie Myles.
Scion vet Kiki Morgan / Photo: Colleen McCloskey
“Kiki is coming off of a whirlwind few months where she left straight from Club 7s Nationals [in August] to play in Aussie Uni 7s, then as the first American on a professional contract to play 7s in Japan for the Tokyo Phoenix, then straight to Dubai with USA before coming straight to Barbados,” Liu explained. “So though jet-lagged, she stepped up and served as a great leader for the rest of the girls.”
Myles had an established connection with former Quinnipiac teammate Ilona Maher, who was named MVP. Maher was also named MVP of the NIRA national championship and represented Scion alongside Myles and Jade McGrath at New York 7s.
Liu was also impressed with high schoolers Nicole Wantlin (who has committed to Army West Point in fall 2018) and Emily Henrich, who are both looking to take this international experience and apply it to the collegiate sphere next year.
Orchard Park HS senior Emily Henrich with Penn State’s Corinne Heavner in support. / Photo: Colleen McCloskey
“Toshi and I were incredibly impressed top to bottom at how all 12 of our players just seamlessly stayed disciplined, stuck to our policies, and ultimately found a way to succeed and build bonds on and off the field, despite mostly not knowing each other upon arrival on Thursday,” Liu praised. “It was a great weekend all around and all the other teams deserve credit as the competition was high as always despite missing many of the international teams we look forward to playing in Barbados annually.”
The tournament was smaller than years past, with last year’s champion, Rugby Ecosse, absent and no Canadian presence. Nevertheless, Scion bested its American counterparts as well as teams from Barbados, St. Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago, and was rewarded with the $1,500 cash prize.
SCION RUGBY ACADEMY
Misha Green
Corinne HeavnerEmily Henrich
Ilona Maher
Jade McGrath
Kiki Morgan
Maggie MylesLauren RhodeNikki Snyder
Lisa Van Eerde
Nicole Wantlin
Gael Yotts