(top, l-r) Jennilyn Aquino, Kelsey Reid, Saryn Laserna, Mary Sullivan, Phoebe Anderson, Zoe Constantine. (bottom) Kelly Tosheff, Avalua Lafitaga, Abby Fearey, Kristin Bitter, Abbey Savin (c). Not pictured: Brooklyn Vaifanua
The Institute of Rugby (IOR), based in Carlsbad, Calif., is fielding its first girls’ 7s team and will compete in the North American Invitational (NAI) 7s this weekend in Salt Lake City.
RELATED: Atlantis Names NAI 7s Teams • NAI 7s Resources • Girls’ U18 Open Schedule
“The Institute of Rugby is very proud to send such a young and talented squad to compete in the NAI 7s tournament, and we hope the experience will provide an unforgettable development opportunity for the athletes who were selected to represent our organization,” IOR Girls’ 7s coach Hannah Lockwood explained.
The team is nearly a U16 squad and will compete in the U18 Open division, the largest of the four girls’ competitions. Nine teams are divided into two pools, and IOR will play Canada’s Upright Rugby, Idaho Grey Wolves and Mambas on opening day.
“The NAI 7s has a reputation for delivering a top-notch tournament experience for high school-age athletes in the United States, and we are thrilled to be included in the 2017 competition,” the coach enthused.
Games begin on Friday, Aug. 4. Click here for the NAI 7s Girls’ U18 Open schedule and brackets.
INSTITUTE OF RUGBY – NAI 7s
JUNIORS
Kelsey Reid – Mission Vista HS (Oceanside)
SOPHOMORES
Phoebe Anderson – Bonsall HS (Bonsall)
Jennilyn Aquino – Mira Mesa HS (San Diego)
Kristin Bitter – Torrey Pines HS (San Diego)
Avalua Lafitaga – La Costa Canyon HS (Carlsbad)
Mary Sullivan – La Costa Canyon HS (Encinitas)
Brooklyn Vaifanua – Lakewood HS (Cerritos)
FRESHMEN
Zoe Constantine – Poway HS (Poway)
Abby Fearey – San Marcos HS (San Marcos)
Saryn Laserna – La Costa Canyon HS (Carlsbad)
Abbey Savin – Great Oak HS (Temecula)
Kelly Tosheff – La Costa Canyon HS (Carlsbad)
Head coach: Hannah Lockwood
#InstituteofRugby NAI7s