The fourth iteration of the Youth Olympic Games occurs from Oct. 31-Nov. 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal, marking the first time that an Olympic event has been held on the African continent. Team USA will be well represented at the quadrennial rugby 7s tournament with 12 USA Pathway standouts donning the red, white and blue. Schedules, pools, kickoff times, etc., are TBA. [lead photo: Skyridge/United’s Lavi Lomu / PC: Jackie Finlan]

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USA Pathway coaches scout players via talent ID camps and high-profile events — e.g., the national 7s tournament in Meridian, Idaho, that occurred last Thursday-Saturday —  and then vet them through Chula Vista assemblies. The 12 junior Olympians hail primarily from western states, the exceptions being Abbey McGettigan of Downingtown, Pa., and Sofie Ferri, who plays for Hudson in Ohio. Both have played representative rugby for their regions and are known entities.

Utah Youth Rugby dominates selections. Five of the 12 players hail from the Beehive State, which just wrapped up its fall 7s series and then finished in 1st, 2nd and 5th places at 7s nationals last weekend. The Pacific Northwest’s Idaho and Washington placed two players apiece on the YOG-bound squad, and Colorado is well represented by Summit High School’s Avery Russer.

Crucially, all 12 players are coming out of fall 7s competitions, which range from single-school leagues in Colorado, Idaho (Crawford, Jenks) and Utah; to well structured club series in Ohio (Ferri) and Pennsylvania (McGettigan) that name champions; to more festival-style 7s in Washington (Gandy, Moynihan). Regardless of the status of each competition, the players are 7s ready.

Bringing it all together are head coach Irene Gardner, assistant coach Kelly Griffin and ATC Jackie Rodriguez. Stay tuned for schedules, live-stream info, and more.

USA YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES SQUAD

Mallory Crawford — Boise, Idaho (Eagle)
Sofie Ferri — Akron, Ohio (Hudson)
Hunivaololo Folau — West Jordan, Utah (Westlake)
Chloe Gandy — Portland, Wash. (Chuckanut Bay/Ronin)
Rebekah Jenks — Boise, Idaho (Rocky Mountain)
Sophia Johnson — Orem, Utah (Majestics)
Lavinia Lomu — Orem, Utah (Skyridge/United)
Abigail McGettigan — Downingtown, Pa. (Downingtown)
Eseta Moala — Millbrae, Utah (Syracuse/Nova)
Luisa Moala — Millbrae, Utah (Syracuse/Nova)
Ella Moynihan — Olympia, Wash. (Tacoma Tsunami)
Avery Russer — Silverthorne, Colo. (Summit HS)

Staff
Irene Gardner – Head coach
Kelly Griffin – Assistant coach
Jackie Rodriquez – ATC