Macedo at the Olympic Training Center in Mexico City
In November 2017, Mexico City staged the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 7s championship and was delighted to see Mexico win the women’s division. The title, which came down to a 5-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago, also afforded a berth to the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, a first for Mexico’s women. The San Francisco fixture is sandwiched between a trip to the Hong Kong 7s and the quadrennial CASCO Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, in August.
A hallmark year is underway for Mexico, and three Americans are hoping to be a part of it: Karmin Macedo, a NIRA All-American and senior at Notre Dame College; fellow Fallbrook High School alumnae Michel Narvarro, a USA Rugby Collegiate All-American and sophomore at Central Washington University; and 19-year-old Adriana Mendoza, who picked up the game with Rugby Oregon’s Valley Panthers and now plays in the Women’s Premier League for ORSU.
All three players have extensive rugby resumes that include national age-grade teams to all-star teams, and everything in between. Macedo has the most 7s experience as the oldest player in the American trio. She’s been playing with San Diego, a perennial national club 7s championship contender, since 2013 and has attended USA 7s camps in the past. Mexico 7s coach Robin MacDowell contacted Macedo, Navarro and Mendoza and invited them to the January players camp, where 27 athletes competed for inclusion on the Hong Kong 7s team.
Mendoza as a high school senior with Valley Panthers / Photo: Rugby Oregon
“Honestly, from the beginning when Robin contacted me, it was something that I had to take a seat for. I am still processing this incredible opportunity that I never expected,” Macedo looked ahead. “To play for Mexico would mean not only representing my roots, since my entire family is from there, but also the opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a player.”
During the players camp, Macedo also became better acquainted with Mexico 7s history and the trials its experienced. She met two of the main drivers behind Mexico’s success: captains DaNy Rosales and Isabel Gonzalez. Rosales actually scored the game-winning try against Trinidad & Tobago in the RAN 7s championship.
“I was grateful to meet them and not only see how talented they are but also learn about the behind-the-scenes things they have done for Mexico rugby,” Macedo explained.
But for Macedo, a collegiate senior, there has been one concession.
Macedo playing for Notre Dame College / Photo: Ken Klemencic
“[Notre Dame College] training and traveling will interfere in the future with [Mexico 7s] camp dates and tournament dates. This semester I’m taking six classes so I’m focusing on Mexico rugby and school,” explained Macedo, who is pursuing a Finance and Economics degree. “I’m no longer competing with [Notre Dame College] because of this opportunity with Mexico rugby and trying to graduate on time.”
Fortunately for Macedo, she’s enjoyed a successful career with the Falcons, instrumental in building up the Euclid, Ohio, team and leading it to a DII national championship, an LVI 7s title, and the team’s first season in NIRA, among other accomplishments. As she looks toward this next rugby goal, she’ll be keeping someone in particular in mind.
“The one person that has always believed in my goals when it comes to rugby is my grandmother,” Macedo concluded. “So to play in Hong Kong 7s or the 7s Rugby World Cup and have her at a game would be something I can’t but into words.”