Rochester’s Emily Grey / Photo: Aaron Raymond
The National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) is hosting its first all-star 7s championship in January, and the Upstate New York Collegiate Rugby Conference has named its team. Twelve players from six schools will head to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla., for the January 20-21 event. The championship will also be a major selection vehicle for the NSCRO 7s all-star team that has competed at the LVI and USA 7s CRC.
Upstate New York coaches Clarence Picard (St. Bonaventure), David Chapman (Colgate) and Meredith Pyke (Rochester) lead the program and have selected a squad that brings veterans and newcomers together. The group has benefitted from three assemblies ahead of winter break and will regroup in Florida three days prior to kickoff.
“A few players stand out early on,” Picard noted. “Rochester has been strong the past several seasons and they’ve contributed some very experienced players. Their No. 8, Becca Silver, is a hard runner, fit, and knows when to pass or take contact. Emily Grey will also be a key decision-maker in the backline and has taken an early leadership role our first few assemblies.”
Picard called Kayla O’Brien “a big find.” The Niagara University player moved from second row to flyhalf and was a huge part of the team’s playoff run this fall.
“She has the valuable combination of athleticism, set piece experience, and ball distribution skills that could allow her to be important for us at hooker,” Picard praised. “All the coaches recognized her as a standout when we played Niagara, and she lived up to expectations once the team assembled.”
DeGrood and Sion with St. Bonaventure / Photo: Dave Sion
One of two freshmen, watch for St. Bonaventure’s Kelly DeGrood to make an impact. She brings 7s experience from Western New York (WNY) Lightning, South Buffalo and Queen City, and she’s also one of three members to come out of the WNY high school league.
“We’ll be looking for her and Em Sion to partner nicely in the middle of the field, like they did for the Bonnies this fall when each scored 15 tries,” Picard noted. “If we can stick to our structure early, their footwork should be tough to defend later in matches.”
The NSCRO All-Star 7s Championship involves eight teams, and Upstate New York will compete in Pool A against the Lonestar, Mid-Atlantic and New England conferences. Pool B will feature Allegheny, Ohio Valley, Prairie State and the South. Pool play will occur Saturday and knockouts Sunday.
UPSTATE NY ALL-STAR 7s
Victoria Breza – JR, Univ Rochester
Kelly DeGrood – FR, St. Bonaventure Univ
Isabella Drago – SR, Univ Rochester
Niamh Fitzpatrick – SO, Hamilton College
Codi Fletcher – SR, SUNY Plattsburgh
Emily Grey – SR, Univ Rochester
Anna Hart – SO, Colgate Univ
Megan Hess – JR, Niagara Univ
Caroline Martin* – JR, SUNY Oneonta
Maggie Nelsen* – SR, Colgate Univ
Kayla O’Brien – JR, Niagara Univ
Grace Schreiber – FR, Colgate Univ
Rebecca Silver – SR, Univ Rochester
Emily Sion – SO, St. Bonaventure Univ
*Selected but unable to travel
*Selected but unable to travel
Coaching Staff
David Chapman – Colgate Univ
Clarence Picard – St. Bonaventure Univ
Meredith Pyke – University of Rochester
Being a first-year program, players must account for all of the expenses. To make a donation, visit the team’s donation page.
#UpstateNewYork NSCRO