Photo courtesy David Silverman Photography •
The revamped Women’s National Team player pathway has been in play for a year now, and one outcome is reflected in the number of collegians named to the two Super Series rosters. The senior staff is better exposed to the age-grade players and able to expedite the promising through the pathway.
Eagle veteran Katy Augustyn took notice during this month’s National All-Star Competition (NASC), which served as a selection camp for July’s Super Series.
“I think what stood out most to me was the number of young players with tremendous talent at the NASC, who were coming from or had just left colleges with established women’s programs. That’s great to see,” Augustyn enthused.
“There were a lot of standout players at this NASC,” the World Cup hooker continued. “While I won’t specifically call one player out, I will say I was truly impressed by the level of talent in the back three on both squads. I can’t imagine it was easy for the staff to make their selection decisions.”
Recent Brown University graduate Saskia Morgan is part of that talented unit, and she is one of four uncapped collegians reporting to Salt Lake City later this month. She is a product of a DI varsity program led by former Eagle 15s coach Kathy Flores and rooted in longtime Bears coach Kerri Heffernan. Morgan has some international 15s experience, representing an Atavus-sponsored All-American team against Ontario last summer, and during Brown spring break trips, like this year’s tour to Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
“Don’t remind me. I just graduated a few weeks ago and I already miss it,” the Brown alumna lamented. “I’ve found a new family and home with Scion in D.C., but I’ll always miss the comfort and support system I had at Brown. Staying on the east coast gives me the chance to go back and support Brown during home games next fall.”
During Morgan’s collegiate career, she aligned with senior 7s clubs during the summer, so she knows what it’s like rotating between leader and learner. Morgan has been in the collegiate 7s pipeline for years, heading to the OTC for invitational camps, and also played with Scion Sirens before it morphed into a National Development Academy. Today, she is acclimating to life as a senior pool player alongside Scion Rugby Academy’s poster players – Kimber Rozier, Stacey Bridges and Sam Pankey – who are now Morgan’s training partners.
“I was super nervous at my first camp, but training with Scion Rugby Academy helped prepare me for the physicality of senior-level play and be more comfortable with veteran players,” Morgan explained. “I feel fortunate to have shown the potential at camp to be selected, but I know I still have so much developing to do. Luckily I get the chance to develop alongside some of the best players in America.”
Some of Morgan’s contemporaries have more age-grade – and in one case, national team – experience (read more on Nicole Strasko, Naya Tapper and Nate Serevi), but her situation isn’t totally unique. Last year’s rookies who responded well to the uptick in play have returned, and Morgan is surrounded by talent who can aid in her transition to international play.
“We have such exciting, explosive wings in the pool right now, that it’s always fun to be on the field with players like Cheta [Emba] and Kelsi [Stockert],” Morgan remarked. “This camp was much smaller than the December NASC, allowing me to build a stronger connection with everyone there.”
The USA plays France, Canada and England on July 1, 5 and 9, respectively.
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