The DI Elite has named its 2021 rugby All-Americans, selecting 26 players across five member teams to the honorary list. [Photo: Todd Lunow]
National champion Lindenwood University leads the league with 10 selections, and runner-up Life University follows with six. Third-place Central Washington has five All-Americans, while BYU has three.
Penn State co-captains Mia Lancellotti and Ellie Fromstein represent the Nittany Lions, which did not compete in the DI Elite last spring but did play 15s more locally and then 7s at Life.
The honorary team is mostly upperclass players, but there are two freshmen in the group: Central Washington flanker Tessa Hann and Lindenwood inside center Eti Haungatau. The duo is part of the freshman- and sophomore-only all-conference team that The Rugby Breakdown released immediately after the DI Elite season ended.
DI ELITE ALL-AMERICANS
FORWARDS
Destiny Arena – Lindenwood (H)
Kapoina Bailey – Lindenwood (8)
Kate Buzby – Life (8)
Ellie Fromstein – Penn State (P / 8 / SH)
Saher Hamdan – Life (F)
Tessa Hann – Central Washington (F)
Jess Keating – Life (H)
Mia Lancellotti – Penn State (F)
Mae Sagapolu – Central Washington (P)
McKenna Strong – Lindenwood (L)
Nina Tuilaepa – Lindenwood (P)
Sam Tancredi – Lindenwood (P)
BACKS
Su Adegoke – Life (W)
Demi Allen – Lindenwood (W)
Spencer Boldt – Central Washington (SH)
Adrionna Duncan – Life (W)
Morgan Freeman – Lindenwood (SH)
Eti Haungatau – Lindenwood (IC)
Matalasi Morrissette – BYU (FH)
Aly Namosimalua – Central Washington (W)
Sophie Pyrz – Life (FB/SH)
Mikayla Roberts – Central Washington (OC)
Richelle Stephens – Lindenwood (FH)
Kathryn Stowers – BYU (IC)
Rachel Strasdas – BYU (OC)
Sativa Tarau-Peehikuru – Lindenwood (OC)