Army’s Crittington at 7s nationals / Photo: Alex Ho (hoiho.net)
The Women’s Collegiate All-American 7s programs is currently training at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (CVEATC) in preparation for this weekend’s National Development Academy 7s tournament. The assembly brings together many familiar players, as well as age-grade newcomers who’ve distinguished themselves this season.
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Of all the attendees, Virginia Tech center Jetta Owens is a relative newcomer. Virginia Tech coach Dani Barlow, who ended her tenure with the Hokies after graduating in May, indicated that Owens comes from a rugby family – her father is a founding member of Rocky Gorge in Maryland – but didn’t start playing until her arrival in Blacksburg, Va. For the last two years, Owens has been an integral member of the team’s success.
“Jetta picked up the game very fast. She has a high rugby IQ and is one of those players that just gets it effortlessly,” Barlow described the rising junior. “She has improved drastically over the past year and has become a core player in our backline for 15s at outside center, and she is a dynamite force in 7s, especially having been coached by Paul Caron leading up to the CRCs this year.”
Owens, top row, center player / Photo courtesy VT Women’s Rugby
Virginia Tech finished 7th out of 16 at the CRC 7s, an event with good visibility.
“The three words I would use to describe her as a rugby player are: intense, driven, and dynamic,” Barlow concluded. “I have high hopes for her with VT Women’s rugby and beyond.”
Owens’ 11 teammates have been in and around the game a bit more:
MALERY BILLINGY – rising sophomore at Life University … came up through Play Rugby Academy in N.Y. and frequently featured on elite teams like Atlantis, CODP, Atavus … three-sport athlete in high school: rugby, track, MMA … repped HS All-Americans during 2017 Can-Ams
KAITLYN BROUGHTON – Life University senior is arguably the best stepper in the collegiate game … hails from Mufreesboro, Tenn., and is part of that first four-year class for head coach Ros Chou … has previously represented the WCAA 7s in elite tournaments
Broughton at 7s nationals / Photo: Alex Ho (hoiho.net)
ZYE CRITTINGTON – rising senior at Army West Point … power center … two-time NIRA All-American and injured much of 2017 15s season … returned in time for Army’s 23-1 regular season in 7s … scored four tries at DI Elite National 7s Championship
NATALIE FULLER – Played with the University of Washington, where she originally pursued rowing … stepped out during the 2017 National Club 7s Championship, establishing herself as a fast finisher for Seattle Atavus … graduated to the Seattle Saracens 15s, which competes in the BC Premier league
BAYLEIGH GABLE – rising junior at Army West Point … Grandville HS (Mich.) rugby … entered HS All-American system in 2015 … flyhalf and conversion kicker named 2016 NIRA All-American and injured in fall 2017 season … scored 33 points at USAR 7s … and this de-cleater
ILONA MAHER – the recent Quinnipiac University graduate just returned from Paris with the USA Women’s 7s team … scored two tries in her debut and both were long-range scores in injury time … former MA Sorensen winner and three-time NIRA All-American … also represented WCAA 15s against Canada Maple Leafs among other appearances
MIKAH MAPLES – rising junior at Quinnipiac University … paired beautifully with Ilona Maher in the centers during NIRA 15s season … 2017 final four weekend put the hard-striking finisher in front of a larger audience … scored four tries against Central Washington and Dartmouth in final four
JETTA OWENS – Virginia Tech (read above)
SHAMIRA ROBLES – graduating senior from AIC … like Billingy, the N.Y. native was groomed through the Play Rugby Academy … double-digit try-scorer this past spring 7s season … really stepped out at club 7s nationals with New York, a poised playmaker on a high functioning senior club
BECCA JANE ROSKO – rising junior at Dartmouth College … product of Summit HS rugby (Colo.) … was on first HS All-American 7s team at 2015 LVI … back three player in 15s has great step and speed, evasive
EMILY ROSKOPF – rising senior at Quinnipiac University … product of Pleasanton Cavaliers (Calif.) … on first HS All-American 7s team at 2015 LVI … three-time NIRA All-American … moved from center to wing this season and scored nine tries
STEFANI VICINO-BERGERHOUSE – graduating senior from Chico State … influential 15s center for four years and well known in Pacific Mountain … tall and lean with excellent pull-away speed … knockout showing in 15s and 7s post-seasons
After what seems like a long hiatus, it’s exciting to have the All-American 7s program back in motion. Here’s looking forward to more attendee lists being released for the upcoming WCAA 15s and Junior All-American assemblies, not to mention the High School All-American Futures 7s tournament.
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