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The 2026 Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) 7s brought 64 women’s teams to Boyds, Md., and for two days they battled for one of four titles. Of note, three of the finals featured teams from Colorado, and two of those High Peaks squads took home their respective divisions’ top prizes. Three teams won both their national 15s and national 7s competitions, too. And equally impressive: A three-time champion was dethroned. [lead photo: Jackie Finlan / TRB (see more)]
PREMIER
AIC is a DII NCAA varsity program and the reigning 15s champion in NIRA. Nikki Ritter-Truxal captained last fall’s squad to 15s heights and then returned to the key leadership post for the 7s season — her last in AIC kit.
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The Massachusetts squad packs so much power and speed, and championship MVP Naomi Dodd is the epitome of both attributes. The internationally capped player breaks away, chases down and also has no problem squaring up, as evidenced during the Southern Nazarene semifinal and Telesi Uhatafe showdown.
The final against three-time CRC 7s Premier champion Brown University was tied at 7-all, and then AIC pulled away in the second half for a 24-7 trophy performance. Read the full recap and scores.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Olivia Baptiste, Brown, Senior
Laryssa Barbosa, Brown, Senior
Naomi Dodd, AIC, Sophomore
Kiyanah Edwards, AIC, Sophomore
Macie Graves, Northern Iowa, First Year
Sayler Russell, Long Island, Senior
Sereana Vulaono, New Haven, Junior
DIVISION I-AA
Northeastern University is also the reigning DI-AA 15s champion with National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), the host of CRC 7s. Margaret Reiss steps in as the head coach for Keith Cattanach during the spring 7s season and was confident in the squad’s ability to both express itself and adjust to the opposition’s weapons.
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Colorado State University was the final objective. The Rams earned their spot after a come-from-behind semifinal win against in-state rival Colorado University, and their dangerous speed and expert leadership from Ava Hughes made them worthy opponents for the Maddogs. But Northeastern held its ground in the 14-0 win, sending Jolene Russo and Emily Minkler away for tries. Flyer Kourtney Bichotte-Dunner was named championship MVP. Read the full recap and scores.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Kourtney Bichotte-Dunner, Northeastern, Senior
Sierra Gallup, Colorado State, Junior
Lucia Hoffman, Colorado, Sophomore
Ashtyn Kelly, North Carolina, Senior
Campbell Kerr, NC State, Senior
Mira Mahmoud, Northeastern, Sophomore
Lily Morrison, Arizona State, Senior
DIVISION II
Colorado was well represented at CRC 7s. At the semifinal stage, there was High Peaks representation in the DI-AA, DII and DIII matches. Colorado Mesa State earned its way to the title match after rallying from 12-point deficit against UW Eau Claire to win 19-12 in the semifinals. The effort showcased the Mavericks’ depth of resilience.
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Mesa faced the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in the championship, and the Bears were also looking for that national 15s/7s title double (interview: captain Tia Royal). But again, the defense set the tone. Mesa held the Coast Guard scoreless while putting championship MVP Kaylee Burns (2) and Genevieve Karpiel. Bentley Steyaert kicked the conversion for the 17-0 win. Read the full recap and scores.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Elizabeth Breiby, New Hampshire, Senior
Kaylee Burns, Colorado Mesa, Sophomore
Lauren Chiaino, Syracuse, Junior
Chloe Coop, Colorado Mesa, Sophomore
Anna Gredell, Coast Guard, Sophomore
Maggie Kane, UW-Eau Claire, Sophomore
Jasmine Mendez, Coast Guard, Junior
DIVISION III
It’s a banner year for the Colorado School of Mines, which won its first NCR 15s national championship in December and then took its first CRC 7s title on Sunday. Led by championship MVP Piper Lee and captain Aliya Lynn, the Orediggers set the standard for Division III this year.
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Mines had some momentum behind it after beating Endicott in the semifinals. A yellow card put the Orediggers in danger, but instead, the squad came together for a crucial try that put the team ahead and en route to a 19-7 win. MiraCosta Community College came to the final with a brilliant mix of size and speed — a West Coast staple — and captain Lucy Powell was eager to showcase that mix after a thrilling 15-14 semifinal win against Colby College.
But ultimately, Mines was able to lock in its defense and move the ball to championship MVP Piper Lee (also the 15s national championship MVP) for three tries in the final. Lynn also crossed for five points and Ayana Mejorado handled the conversions in the 24-0 win. Read the full recap and scores.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Molly Cancian, Baldwin Wallace, Graduate
Lauren Thomlinson, Drury, Junior
Colleen Mitchell, Endicott, Sophomore
Aliya Lynn, CO School of Mines, Senior
Heavenly Afaese, MiraCosta, First Year
Marlee Garrison, MiraCosta, First Year
Piper Lee, CO School of Mines, Sophomore