The Midwest High School Thunderbirds are the most consistent, active regional all-star rugby program in the country – by far. A dedicated staff scouts and communicates with all member states, holds developmental camps, lines up tours and international competition. In February, the Thunderbirds returned to Florida for its third annual winter tour, and head coach Garrett Fisher was once again impressed with his athletes. [Lead photo: Nathan Kovac]
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“The positives were that we had 20 great players come out and again we are always shocked at how fast they gel and bond,” Midwest High School Thunderbird coach Garrett Fisher recounted mixed reactions to tour. “But the competition wasn’t what we were thinking it was going to be. We spent the whole last year trying to build competition in Florida, but we had issues with teams not fully committing.”
Fisher was effusive in his thanks to host Eckerd College and Mike Geibel for facilitating two games, but the Midwest will either look for new competition in 2019 or use Florida as a meeting point for comparable opponents.
“We promise them high-level rugby and some of that is faster and more skilled matches,” Fisher explained.
The Midwest played the U20 Florida all-stars and a combination squad on back-to-back days, winning 91-0 and 92-0, respectively.
“Players were disappointed, but with high school players, they’re super excited to get out of the weather and play,” Fisher said. “We talked about worrying about things that we can control. We can still come here and work on individual and team skills that will better their game. And then the next time they come together, those T-Bird principles and building blocks will be better.”
St. Joseph’s Regina Baldado served as captain and her example set the tone for the convincing performances.
“Maia Breeden from Hudson [Ohio] was probably my biggest surprise,” Fisher said of the outside center. “From the first time I saw her two years ago as a sophomore, to Ontario last year, and then this year, there’s been steady improvement. She’s bigger, stronger, faster. Her running lines are very sharp and she’s explosive through gaps.”
Fisher also noted Emily Morris from Pulaski, Wisc., who’s heading to Lindenwood this fall.
“She had a great work rate the whole weekend,” the coach praised the lock/No. 8. “She was in the mix all over the field – whenever there was a scoring opportunity or stolen ball or big ruck, she was always popping off the ground or busting through the gaps.”
Overall, the Midwest all-stars had representatives from six states, and Fisher is already lining up his recruitment trail for the summer and 2019 seasons.
“Sydney Julich from the Hawkettes came out from Iowa,” Fisher pointed to newer states providing players. “It seems that whenever Iowa contacts me, they are spot-on with the talent. They only play 7s so it’s good to continue that connection. It’s been great talking with Kelsie McDowell, and she really wants to get us out there this May for a camp in Iowa because she thinks the attendance would be high.”
The Midwest is getting together camps in Grand Rapids in April, Wisconsin in May and open to more assemblies, which provide great exposure to the all-star staff. The Midwest camp will be held July 26-29, and that group will provide the selection pool for the 2019 tours.
“The success we’ve had with the Midwest program, everyone from parents to college recruiters have been extremely positive toward me, and other regions should pick it up,” Fisher said. “I’m certain this success could be matched in other regions, and I hope to see more regional all-star teams form.”
HS ALL-MIDWEST THUNDERBIRDS
2018 WINTER TOUR
Regina Baldado – St. Joseph Academy, Ohio (c)
Mahina Beates – Brunswick, Ohio
Maia Breeden – Hudson, Ohio
Kpenkai Carter – Armstrong, Minn.
Samira Colbert – Hudson, Ohio
Alle English – unattached, Ohio
Izzi Gibbon – Walnut Hills, Ohio
Sophia Haley – Hopkins, Minn.
Saher Hamdan – Lakewood, Ohio
Quarille Howard – Hopkins, Minn.
Sydney Julich – Ankeny, Iowa
Clara Lemal-Brown – Hudson, Ohio
Natalie Locke – Warsaw, Ind.
Bella Lubsey – Bruisers, Wisc.
Lina Lucas – Avon, Ind.
Emily Morris – Pulaski, Wisc.
Raina Perciak – Brunswick, Ohio
Areliz Rivera – Bruisers, Wisc.
Matja Sarrenheimo-Vanderhorst – Grandville, Mich.
Haley Taylor – Hamilton United, Ind.