The Iowa Hawkettes, the state select-side program, has interest from more than 50 players.
There’s been plenty to track in Iowa rugby during the Covid-19 era. The girls’ high school league successfully and temporarily relocated from the fall to the spring and is in the middle of its season, and Univ. Northern Iowa (UNI) won the Great Plains 7s Regional Championship in Wayne, Neb. The state’s high school (Hawkettes) and U24 select sides are also active, and they’re readying for big events in May.
RELATED: Iowa HS Move Championship to Spring • UNI Wins Great Plains 7s
UNI alumnae are major drivers for both programs, and the U24 staff features six former Panthers who today coach UNI, or an Iowa high school team, and/or are active club players. U24 coaches Meghan Flanigan and Kelsie McDowell, who is also the head coach at Iowa State and for the Hawkettes, organized some select side sessions to keep the program active, and then after three practices, the staff selected 23 players for a May 1 match against Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa.
“We’ve had some of the best camps we have ever had in years past,” Flanigan enthused after six years with the U24s. “So much talent and the level of intensity was so exciting to witness, so we are definitely excited to be able to have this opportunity to work together and bring some playing opportunities to these players.”
IOWA U24 SELECTS
Taylor Blum – UNI
Aubrey Buresh – UNI
Maggie Burns – UNI
Hailey Butterwegge – UNI
Isamar Caro Gonzalez – Iowa State
Emily Dearden – Des Moines
Alexis Dirksen – UNI
Madie Dunn – Iowa State
Kayla Dustin – UNI
Ciara Edwards – UNI
Ana Elliot – Iowa State
Thone Golwitzer – UNI
Annie Henderson – UNI
Cooper Horning – Des Moines
Annahlee Huspen – UNI
Jessi Inman – UNI
Emma Johanson – Des Moines
Lynn Kleyer – UNI
Taylor Loomans – UNI
Tatyana Reed – UNI
Payton Schutte – UNI
Courtney Smith-Hernandez – Iowa State
Izzy Thomasee – UNI
U24 COACHES
Meghan Flanigan – UNI Head Coach
Kelsie McDowell – Iowa State Head Coach (UNI alumna)
Jen Sinkler – Norwalk HS Coach (UNI alumna)
Amity Beiner – Twin Cities Amazons Player (UNI alumna)
Eileen Lieb – UNI Assistant
Kacey Anderson – UNI Assistant
Flanigan explained that it’s unlikely a Midwest competition will evolve this summer since member states are in different stages of Return to Play with Covid-19. Nevertheless, the coach is working with Xane Gerasimo to create some kind of opportunity in late summer, whether it’s a day camp or even an honorary Thunderbird team.
“Because of the talent that we have, we are hoping to bring our select side team to any future tournaments that may be happening this summer or late fall after fall championships, pending pandemic issues,” Flanigan closed.
McDowell is also seeing an abundance of talent at the high school level. The coach has scouted every tournament this season – save those that coincided with the Great Plains 7s tournament, where Iowa State finished fifth overall.
“The fact the high school girls’ season is taking place this spring instead of the fall eliminated our 15s team attempt,” McDowell said of the Hawkettes’ expansion efforts. “However, there was no other choice this season, and I am so proud of the IAYRA for giving the seniors of our league the opportunity to have a final 7s season!”
More than 50 players – an all-time high – signed up for the May 22 tryout in Altoona, from where this year’s squad will emerge.
“The coaching staff, Joe White and Nick Sawhill, and I started having discussions of what would most benefit our players,” McDowell considered the increased interest in all-star ball. “This summer the Hawkettes plan to expand their horizon. With Lakefront 7s being questionable, we have signed up for the Falcon 7s Elite Division in Little Rock, Arkansas. This may end our 38-0 win streak, but it will give our girls the exposure and competition that will make them better rugby players, not to mention strong independent women!”
Expect a lot of new faces on the Hawkettes squad this year, as only five veterans are currently signed up for consideration. For more information, visit the @IowaHawkettes Facebook page or contact McDowell.