Carson High School (Calif.) was especially excited to head to the Las Vegas Invitational this year. Previously, the Colts entered Las Vegas cold and the event wasn’t an accurate gauge for how the team fit into the larger 7s picture. This year, Carson was heading to the LVI as the SoCal High School 7s Champion, a title that was awarded on Feb. 17. With the circumstances changed, the Colts won the LVI U16 and U18 Open brackets. Combine those 11 wins with the SoCal high school season, and Carson has gone 26-0 this year.
“Having a high school [7s] season prior to LVIs helped out tremendously. Winning both U18 and U16 divisions is a testament to the ladies’ hard work and dedication,” Carson High School coach Myron Mailo praised his squad.
Carson U18 beat USA South 36-0, Les Chevalieres 48-0 and Summit Black 31-5 in pool play, and then played a tough quarterfinal against New Jersey Blaze to start day two, 14-10 to the Colts. The SoCal side took down Canada’s Upright Rugby 24-7 in the Cup semifinals, leaving 2017 U18 Open champion Eastern Ontario for the final. The Canadians had defeated Fallbrook and Summit Black in the knockouts.
Eastern Ontario scored first, but then sophomore Siniva Mailo returned the restart for a converted try, 7-5 into the break. The Canadians capitalized on some defensive miscues and retook the lead with an unconverted try (10-7), and then the Colts made good use of a turnover to move the ball to Mailo, who scored her second try of the final, 12-10. With less than a minute to go in the match, Girls High School All-American Punipuao Skipps (sophomore) put the game out of reach with a third try and conversion, 19-10.
The U16s were equally successful and outscored Foothills, BC Rugby and Lady Aztecs 107-7 during pool play. The Colts bested Fallbrook 17-5 in the semifinals and topped New Zealand’s Paikea 17-5 in the final.
“Once the final whistle blew a burst of tears of joy and relief filled the Carson players and coaches as they realized they had accomplished a feat not many, if any, had achieved – winning both the U16 and U18 Open divisions at the LVI,” Mailo concluded.
The coach moves into new territory as he readies for the SoCal Club 15s season. The Carson High School players will now join South Bay Spartans, and the team’s first league match is this Saturday at Santa Monica.
“Winning the SoCal High School [7s] Championship was huge for us leading into [the club 15s season],” Mailo referenced momentum, “and winning two LVI Cup titles is also monumental for our Lady Spartans.
In week two of the 15s season, South Bay will compete in the Fullerton tournament and then build toward the High School Club National Invitational Tournament on May 18-19 in Mufreesboro, Tenn.
U18 OPEN
Pool Play
Carson 36-0 USA South
Carson 48-0 Les Chevalieres
Carson 31-5 Summit Black
Quarterfinal: Carson 14-10 NJ Blaze
Semifinal: Carson 24-7 Upright Rugby
Final: Carson 19-0 Eastern Ontario
U16
Pool Play
Carson 38-0 Foothills
Carson 17-7 British Columbia
Carson 52-0 Lady Aztecs
Semifinal: Carson 17-5 Fallbrook
Final: Carson 17-5 Paikea
CARSON @ LVI
Ahnea Aupiu – Soph.Alana Aupiu – Sr.Reylin Aupiu – Sr.Jayla Delia – Jr.Nadia Keohuloa – Sr.
Patisepa Lauti – Fr.Siniva Mailo (c) – Soph.
Hunter Meni – Sr.Amaya Moala – Soph.Manaia Moala – Soph.Klarice Sakamoto-Wolfgramm – Soph.Punipuao Skipps – Soph.Tynesa Taulua – Jr.Shy Tonumaipea – Soph.
Zonaye Tupuola – Soph.Brooklyn Vaifanua (c) – Sr.
Alexis Villagran – Jr.
Mercie Vivao – Soph.
#Carson