HS Player of the Year pushing off Great Britain •
The previous three weeks were spent profiling The Breakdown’s spring- and year-end* award recipients for high schools, colleges and clubs. Below is a review of those player and team highlights, as well as explanation to their selections.
The award season ends with the High School Player of the Year. She didn’t help her team to a national championship or tournament title; in fact, she spent little time in a Fallbrook jersey this year. Lilly Durbin did, however, play for a couple of select sides, helping the Atavus senior All-Stars in the international LVI Elite 7s and Girls High School All American 7s in Vancouver. Oh yeah – and she became the youngest player to compete for the USA Women’s 7s team.
Durbin didn’t just don a jersey. The scrumhalf scored two tries during her HSBC Women’s Sevens Series debut at Clermont-Ferrand 7s (Getty photo), the final leg of the World Rugby circuit. This overseas opportunity arose after the junior transitioned to semi-resident status this spring, alternating weeks between Fallbrook High School and the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. Now that school has ended, she’s spending the summer at the OTC, living with her former Fallbrook teammate and idol, Richelle Stephens, as the Eagles build toward the Olympics.
Durbin spoke in detail about her path to the OTC and hopes for the future (read more), and mirrored the rugby community’s awe as we watched the 17-year-old represent the USA:
“I’m still in shock,” Durbin said to being the youngest player in residency. “I’m just really honored that I’m able to be here. It’s such an incredible opportunity – I can’t even put it into words. When you start playing a sport, you look up to certain players and hope to be there someday. I still don’t think I’ve earned it. I haven’t been here very long or trained as hard as everyone else, so I’m just trying to work hard. It’s incredible that I’m here, and I’m really thankful and happy.”
2015-16* AWARDS
HIGH SCHOOL
Player of the Year: Lilly Durbin, Fallbrook
Forward of the Year: Ana Polaulu, Sacramento
Team of the Year: Sacramento (referenced in Polaulu profile)
Game of the Year: St. Joseph Academy vs. Divine Savior Holy Angels
Coach of the Year: Nusi Tukuafu, Kahuku
Breakout Team of the Year: United, Utah
COLLEGE
Player of the Year: Jordan Gray, BYU
Game of the Spring: UC Davis vs. UVA
Team of the Spring: Life University
Coach of the Year: Greg Teliczan, Davenport
SENIOR CLUB
Team of the Year: Raleigh Venom
Coach of the Year: Christiane Pheil & Lauren Trout, Chicago North Shore
Breakout Team of the Year: Life West
Player of the Year: Kristine Sommer, Seattle Saracens
* Since rugby seasons straddle the New Year, the year-end awards consider the fall 2015 and spring 2016 seasons. There are two exceptions: colleges and national teams. First, there are distinct fall- and spring-based college competitions that culminate in their respective seasons and warrant their own awards. That said, this first edition includes two year-long acknowledgements due to their teams’ 15s activity. Going forward, there will be fall- and spring-only awards.
Second, with the exception of one 7s series event, national team performances can be assessed during the calendar year, so those awards will feature in December.
To review:
High School: Year-end awards (fall 2015 – spring 2016)
College: Spring awards (spring 2016)
Club: Year-end awards (fall 2015 – spring 2016)
In December 2016, the following awards will be named:
College: Fall awards (fall 2016)
National Teams: 2016
Additionally, a summer 7s version will be named in late August.