Scion returners Kimber Rozier (above) and Stacey Bridges (below) /// Photos: Jackie Finlan
Scion Rugby Academy has announced its player pool for the Las Vegas Invitational (LVI) 7s. The Washington, D.C.-based National Development Academy is entering teams into the Women’s Elite and Women’s Open competitions.
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“As life in general and a focus on 15s in preparation for the Women’s World Cup have taken our core academy athletes all over since club [7s] nationals, we are looking at LVI as a reunion of sorts, as well as an opportunity to see the chemistry some of our newer athletes have with our veterans,” explained Scion Rugby Academy Director Joanne Liu.
Liu is also evaluating players’ chemistry for an upcoming tour to the Amsterdam 7s (May 26-28), where the Academy will enter an elite high school team and elite senior team
In Las Vegas, 14 players are veterans of past Scion tours and include National Club 7s Championship MVP Kiki Morgan, and World Cup pool players Stacey Bridges, Sara Parsons, Kimber Rozier, Alycia Washington and Scion captain Abby Gustaitis.
Head Coach Toshi Palamo will be leaning on the aforementioned veterans and the other returners to cue in the nine players on their inaugural Scion tour. Highlights include Sorenson Award finalist and University of North Carolina grad Katie Lutton; Tysha Ikenasio of the Tokyo Phoenix; and the return of Rio Olympics 2016 vet Jillion Potter, an inspiration to us all.
Liu explained that although Potter is still enduring weekly treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Jill feels healthy and strong enough to play the game that she loves, and Scion couldn’t be more honored to have her join us!
Individual team rosters will be decided once the 23 players train together in Las Vegas.
Scion Elite & Scion Selects
Las Vegas Invitational 2017
* Samantha Bottorf – Severn River
Stacey Bridges – Scion
Elena Cantorna – Seattle Saracens
Emily Fulbrook – Scion
Megan Gilmore – Scion
Abby Gustaitis – Scion (c)
* Alli Hale – Glendale
* Tysha Ikenasio – Tokyo Phoenix
* Lauren Judkins – Lee University
* Katie Lutton – James River
* Jade McGrath – Boston College
Dana Meschisi – San Diego Surfers
Kiki Morgan – Scion
* Erica Myers – Germany
Sara Parsons – Scion
Kat Phelan – Beantown
* Jillion Potter – USA Rugby
Lauren Rhode – Berkeley All Blues
Kimber Rozier – Scion
Nichole Wanamaker – Glendale
Alycia Washington – New York Rugby Club
Daz Williams – Scion
* Justine Wypych – Glendale
* denotes athletes representing Scion for the first time
Head Coach – Toshi Palamo
Athletic Trainer/Physio – Andrew Jacobe and Stacey Burgos
Managers – Lily White and Siera Snapp