Salt Lake City is readying for the third edition of the North American Invitational (NAI) 7s, which takes place Aug. 3-4 and will live-stream via FloRugby. Atlantis is bringing a healthy contingent of rugby players to the Girls U18 Elite and U18 Open brackets, naming 24 athletes from 10 states to the teal jersey. [Photo: Diane Ramage]
There are many familiar names on the roster, including three players who will age out of the U18 ranks and start their collegiate rugby careers in the fall. The most senior player is Alie Ramage (Morris, NJ), who is a founding member of Atlantis’ U16 program and making her 12th appearance for the invitational side. She’s heading to the University of South Carolina, while Clara Lemal-Brown (Hudson, OH) relocates to NIRA champion Quinnipiac University this fall, and Matalasi Morrissette (West End, VA) returns to Utah to begin a career at DI Elite Brigham Young University.
Atlantis veteran Alie Ramage / Photo: Diane Ramage
“As happened last year, we enthusiastically lost several players from our original roster to the USA U20 squad competing the same weekend,” Atlantis manager Diane Ramage explained the absence of some core players pursuing age-grade opportunities. “With those players heading out to the assembly in Nova Scotia, it allowed us to search out some great young talent to round out our squads.”
Lauryn Eisenhart (Morris, NJ), Emma Gamboa (Morris, NJ), Shannon Mahan (North Bay, MD), Jasmine Orchard (Plano, TX) and Kelly Tosheff (Coastal Dragons, CA) will make their debuts for Atlantis in Salt Lake City.
Carrasquillo (left) and Ziluca (center) return to the coaching staff. / Photo: Diane Ramage
Josie Ziluca has returned as head coach, having led the U18 Elites to second-place finishes at the 2017 NAI 7s and Paris World Games and first-place finish at the 2018 LVI. Working alongside Ziluca is fellow San Diego Surfer Talia Carrasquillo, who served as an Atlantis assistant coach in Vegas. Additionally, Eagle Kate Zackary, who the USA to a fourth-place finish at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, will debut on the coaching staff.
Both of the U18 Elite and U18 Open brackets include eight teams divided into two pools, while the Girls’ U16 and U14 currently show three teams apiece in their competitions. See the full schedules here.
Visit www.nai7s.com for more information.
ATLANTIS @ NAI 7s
Kai Brandt-Templeton – West End, VA
Kate Buzby – Belmont Shore, CA
* Lauryn Eisenhart – Morris, NJ
Abby Feary – San Marcos, CA
* Emma Gamboa – Morris, NJ
Tiyanna Hooker – PA United
Clara Lemal-Brown – Hudson, OH
Sophia Linder – PA United
*Shannon Mahan – North Bay, MD
Nina Mason – Doylestown, PA
Madeleine Maurice – North Bay, MD
Matalasi Morrissette – West End, VA
Talosia Morrissette – West End, VA
* Jasmine Orchard – Plano, TX
Alex Pipkin – North Bay, MD
Alie Ramage – Morris, NJ
Dasia Recio – Kingwood, TX
Maddie Rose – Scottsdale Blues, AZ
Soneva Scott – Westside, CO
Sydney Smith – North Bay, MD
* Kelly Tosheff – Coastal Dragons, CA
Makenna Tuman – North Pitt United, PA
PK Vincze – Summit, CO
Camille White – North Bay, MD
Coaching Staff
Josie Ziluca – Head Coach, Elite
*Kate Zackary – Head Coach, Open
Talia Carrasquillo – Assistant Coach Elite/Open
*new to Atlantis