Last weekend, 40 players from 27 women’s clubs and colleges were invited to the Midwest U24 Thunderbirds tryout in Brookfield, Wisc. Head coach Jeff Noe will now select the travel squad for the all-star team’s tour to Ireland during the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
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The player pool arose from the Midwest U24 LAU All-Star Tournament, which was organized by Minnesota’s Becky Reynolds and featured eight state- and conference-based teams. Other players earned invites after expressing interest and submitting video. Noe evaluated the group with the aid of assistant coaches Jeff Horton and Xane Gerasimo.
“It is great to see all of the Midwest represented again and interested in this vehicle to develop players,” Noe enthused. “We really try to search for the best talent we can find in any corner of the Midwest. I’m extremely excited by the talented group of women that tried out and will get to represent the Midwest as a whole. This is probably the first time in several years that every state is represented.”
Players hail from NSCRO, DII and DI collegiate programs, as well as DI and DII club teams, and a future WPL team. Those chosen will embark on a 10-day, rugby-packed tour to Ireland for the world cup.
MIDWEST U24 PLAYER POOL
Megan Ahnen – Fort Wayne
Rachel Aufdembrink – Univ Minnesota
Sarah Berry – DePaul Univ
Cristina Bravo – UIC
Amber Brevig – Univ Minnesota
Becca Bukvich – Univ Minnesota
Sabrina Bukvich – Milwaukee Scylla
JaKenga Clancy – Pittsburgh Angels
Indy Clark – Akron
Chloe Correia – Pittsburgh Angels
Taylor Day – Ohio State Univ
Melanie Eck – Wisconsin Women
Nicole Fogwell – Kent State
Erin Guillen – Grand Rapids
Cecilia Hammond – College of St Benedict
Kelley Hirt – County Will Morrigans
Emily Hranchook – Detroit
Shannon Hustosky – Kent State
Bethany Kiedrowski – North Dakota State Univ
Jasmine Kovacs – Wayne State
Angie McCardle – Univ Northern Iowa
Lauren McCormack – Wisconsin Women
Mary Kate McNulty – Denison Univ
Allison Miedzielec – Davenport University
Sidney Montano – Chicago North Shore
Hunter Moreland – Davenport University
Betty Nguyen – Chicago North Shore
Justine Perl – Cincinnati Women
Coryn Rank – Pittsburgh Angels
Elizabeth Reding – Iowa State
Leah Riese – Iowa State
Leanna Rosberg – Wayne State
Megan Salyars – Univ Northern Iowa
Whitney Smith – Detroit
Faith Sorensen – Wayne State
Morgan Tessier – Northwestern-Dordt
Kaitlin Throgmorton – Davenport University
Claire Tomashek – Univ of WI – Lacrosse
Hannah Trommer – Kent State
Sam Warneke – Wayne State
Marissa Westaby – Univ of WI – Stout
Chloe Wickstrom – Univ of Pittsburg
Katrina Wilz – Oconomowoc