Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

5-22-2006 - Women's World Cup Squad Named
USA RUGBY WOMEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP ROSTER

BOULDER, Colo. USA Rugby Women's National Team all-time caps leader Patty Jervey has made an unprecedented fifth Women's Rugby World Cup team as head coach Kathy Flores has announced the squad of 26 players and four non-roster reserves that will represent the United States at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup, Aug. 31-Sept. 17 in Edmonton, Alberta.

I'm very happy with the squad we picked, said Flores. We tried to pick a team with a good combination of experience and youth, players that are veterans in the international game and those that will be exposed to it for the first time. We are really seeing the benefit and influence of our U-23 program, selecting players that may have another World Cup ahead of them.

While Jervey will be seeing her fifth World Cup, she will be joined by Hedwig Aerts, Kristin Baja, Jen Crouse, Heather Hale, Patty Jervey, Ellie Karvoski, Phaidra Knight and Meredith Ottens, all who played in 2002's World Cup in The Netherlands and came away with a seventh-place finish.

Position specific non-rostered players that will train and travel in the event of a team injury include hooker Lisa Butts (Chico, Calif.), prop Annie Collier (New York), scrumhalf Kim Magrini (Philadelphia) and wing Jen Sinkler (St. Louis Park, Minn.).

We have a good veteran pool of players that will really be able to teach the younger players that truly want to learn, and learn of the experiences of those older players.

While grateful for the veteran strength that returns, Flores mentioned that not having the knowledge, international experience, on and off-the-field commitment of players like Lisa Rowe, Alex Williams, and Diane Schnapp in '06 will be the real challenge for this squad.

Flores' staff includes Candi Orsini (assistant coach), Krista McFarren (assistant backs coach), Fr. lisa Bartoli (team physician), Tracy Moens (strength and conditioning), Sara Schouse and Katie Peterson (managers) and Anne Barry (program manager).

Prior to World Cup play, the team will assemble in Boulder from June 7-13 for fixtures against Rugby Canada June 10 and 13.

Now that the squad is picked and those players are confident about going, our focus in June will be on playing, game strategy and going forward to the World Cup and our continuity, said Flores.

Sixth seeded USA Rugby will open against England on Aug. 31 and continue cross-pool play against 10th-seeded Ireland (Sept. 4) and seventh-seeded Australia (Sept. 8).

After three match days, with each team having played three pool matches, positional semi-finals will be played with the top four-positioned sides vying to make the WRWC final, and all other sides playing matches in the final two rounds to determine final tournament standings.

The Eagles have a strong World Cup history as the U.S. won the first World Cup in 1991 (defeating England 19-6), and brought home runner-up finishes in both '94 and '98.

USA RUGBY WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM | 2006 WOMEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP

AERTS, Hedwig
BAJA, Kristin
BRAYMER, Claudia
BURKE, Jamie
CABRERA, Laura
CARTER, Erin
COX, Kate
CROUSE, Jen
DUBRAY, Carrie
ENGLISH, Ashley
HALE, Heather
JERVEY, Patty
KARVOSKI, Ellie
KNIGHT, Lee
KNIGHT, Phaidra
KOSANKE, Pam
McDONALD, Laura
McMAHON, Kelly
MILLER, Danielle
NEDER, Pat
NESBERG, Tina
OTTENS, Meredith
POPE, Kate
WALLACE, Mari
WARNER, Keenya
ZDANCZEWICZ, Kristin

NON-ROSTERED RESERVES
BUTTS, Lisa
COLLIER, Annie
MAGRINI, Kim
SINKLER, Jen

RESERVES
AERTS, Kirsten
ANGLADE, Olivia
BARTH, Suzanna
BENNETT, Stacy
BRUCE, Stephanie
COSTELLO, Brenna
DOUGLAS, Farrah
HENRY, Tyshawn
JOYCE, Jen
KANUK, Mel
KUGLER, Lynelle
LANGE, Jaime
MACCALLUM, Katie
RINGGENBERG, Christy
TRUCANO, Chris
TURPIN, Kate
WARNER, Courtney
WHITMAN, Heidi
WHITMORE, Rose

USA RUGBY MANAGEMENT
Kathy Flores, Head Coach
Candy Orsini, Assistant Coach
Krista McFarren, Assistant Backs Coach
Dr. Lisa Bartoli, Team Doctor
Tracy Moens, Strength & Conditioning Coach
Sara Shouse, Katie Peterson, Managers
Anne Barry, Program Manager

2006 WOMEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP | USA RUGBY SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 vs. England
Sept. 4 vs. Ireland
Sept. 8 vs. Australia
Sept. 12, TBA
Sept. 16, TBA
Sept. 17, Finals TBA

So as most of you know, Goffonrugby.com is a partial-pay site...meaning that he has some access to free articles, but the juicy ones require a membership. I think that is nice and all...since I share a membership...ahem. Anyways, just wanted to throw up the latest college rankings since the Collegiate Championships or two weeks ago.

Check out Airforce at #9, TX A&M at #17, and in the honorable mentions a few teams from the west: Colorado, Oklahoma, Colorado State, New Mexico. Nice work ladies, lets keep working our way up the ranks!

1. Stanford (1)
Current Record 18-0-1
Last Week won 45-12 over Navy (3), won 15-12 over Penn State (2)
This Week idle

2. Penn State (2)
Current Record 20-3
Last Week 54-5 over Ohio State (4), lost 15-12 to Stanford (1)
This Week idle

3. Navy (3)
Current Record 17-6
Last Week Lost 45-12 to Stanford (1)
This Week idle

4. Army (6)
Current Record 18-4
Last Week idle
This Week idle

5. Ohio State (4)
Current Record 8-3
Last Week Lost 54-5 to Penn State (2)
This Week idle

6. Virginia (5)
Current Record 21-2
Last Week idle
This Week idle

7. Chico State (7)
Current Record 19-3
Last Week idle
This Week idle

8. UC Santa Barbara (8)
Current Record 6-3-1
Last Week idle
This Week idle

9. Air Force (9)
Current Record 10-3
Last Week idle
This Week idle

10. California (10)
Current Record 15-6-1
Last Week idle
This Week idle

11. West Chester (11)
Current Record 9-5
Last Week idle
This Week idle

12. Eastern Illinois (12)
Current Record 9-1
Last Week idle
This Week idle

13. Vassar (13)
Current Record 13-5
Last Week idle
This Week idle

14. Radcliffe (14)
Current Record 13-10
Last Week idle
This Week idle

15. U. Northern Iowa (15)
Current Record 8-2
Last Week idle
This Week idle

16. UC Davis (16)
Current Record 5-3
Last Week idle
This Week idle

17. Texas A&M (17)
Current Record 10-1
Last Week idle
This Week idle

18. North Carolina (18)
Current Record 12-4-1
Last Week idle
This Week idle

19. Princeton (19)
Current Record 9-7
Last Week idle
This Week idle

20. Yale (20)
Current Record 13-4
Last Week idle
This Week idle


Honorable mention: Arizona State, UCSD, James Madison, Providence College, U Mass, Colorado, Oklahoma, Clemson, Colorado State, New Mexico, Dartmouth, Cornell

Mark Bullock Head Coach
Geoff Old Asst Coach
David Lee Trainer
Susan Stabler Manager

KJ Able KC Jazz
Suzanna Barth HOGS
Lisa Dieckman HOGS
Jenn Eckles HOGS
Mollie Estes KC Jazz
Valerie Griffith HOGS
Joy Hernandez Atomic Sisters
Heather Hoops Black Ice
Angela Hurt KC Jazz
Paula Kelly HOGS
Christina Kiourtzidis Boulder
Kim Klahn HOGS
Lynelle Kugler HOGS
Janay Lake Atomic Sisters
Jaime Lange HOGS
Jules Lehman HOGS
Soni Lucero HOGS
Melissa McKibben KC Jazz
Casie McNeil Black Ice
Cory Monroe HOGS
Angie Poe HOGS
Katie Thoreson HOGS
Katie Wurst HOGS
Wendy Young Oklahoma Roses

River City 7's Tournament

June 24, 2006, 12:00 noon

Harrison Park

Wichita Kansas

Divisions:

Men

Women

High School

Grey Goose (over 220 lbs or over 35 years old, 5 minute halves)

3 games guaranteed

Entry Fees:

$125 for first side.

$75 for each additional side

$50 discount on the entire entry fee if entries received by June 20, 2006

At least 4 WomenÂ’s, High School, and Grey Goose must be received by June 20 or we will have to cancel the divisions.

Send Entries to:

Wichita Rugby

PO Box 47370

Wichita, KS 67201

Questions:

Gene Paulsen

316-218-1578 (home)

316-831-3963 (work)

genepaulsen@yahoo.com

Sorry all my dedicated readers...lol a little humor in the morning.

I have been uber busy as I am trying to move to Austin by the middle of June and am trying to find a job, sell my car, get a new car, find somewhere to live...jeeez...the list keeps getting longer and longer.

Know of any computer jobs in Austin? Hit me up!

I'll hopefully have some updates towards the end of the day...

WE

West 15's Travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota to play USA A and MidWest.

Just a few shoutouts to start the blog: butt back, the stick, lukewarm hot tubs, chipolte, majors, red sauce, salt shakers...let me know if I forgot any!

West vs. USA A
0-3. It was a hard fought match, if you never looked at the score you would have believed that the West defeated the USA by at least 30 points. We marched towards their try-line over and over again but were never able to touch the ball down. We had beautiful mauls, back plays, back row plays and scrums...but couldn't get the job done. Great job ladies, way to show them that the West is back in business!

West A vs. Mid West A
32-17. The West A team was slow to come out of the gates at the beginning of the game. The game was very evenly matched in offense and defense, but the Mid West were more aggressive. After a great halftime chat from both coaches, you could instantly see the difference. We ran harder, faster and created holes for each other like we had never done before. Our rucking cleaned up, the mauls were spectacular and the back plays were crisp. Way to step it up West A!

**The waterfall is from a park we ate lunch at near the restaurants Sea Salt.
**The other shot if from the airplane...Obviously I didn't shut my phone off...Oops.

From Dustin George:

Thank you to those that came out to the Texas or Colorado camps this year. I feel they were both assets and turned out close to a 50 player selection overall. Also thank you to all the coaches who helped with the camps and selections this year. Your help is much appreciated!

Below are the selections for the 2006 West U23 AllStar team that will compete in the USA U23 ITT's in Boulder.

1 Traci Schmidtke (AUSTIN)
2 Joe Milholm (AT LARGE)
3 Stephanie Wideman (UNM)
4 Sandy Nelson (KC JAZZ)
5 Jaclyn Poteraj (CU)
6 Natalie Frank (UNM)
7 Nicole Huber (ABERDEEN)
8 Sarah McDonald (RICE)
9 Danielle Spickard (UNC)
10 Jillion Potter (UNM)
11 Brea Hughes (TAMU)
12 Jen Swenton (OU)
13 Stacy Legler (WYO)
14 Kathryn Pavao (UNC)
15 Jenna Middleton (CSU)
16 Jennnifer Jones (AFA)
17 Mollyrose Graves (BOU)
18 Alicia Binggeli (AFA)
19 Sydney Forestal (UNM)
20 Tiffany Williams (OG)
21 Betsy Bryant (TAMU)
22 Stephanie Filmore (UNC)
23 Kelsey Hudson (OU)
24 Olivia Herdt (WYO)

Thanks again to everyone!
Dustin George
West U23
Head Coach

And this is an email from my head coach about the selection of two Oklahoma Roses:
Congratulations to Kelsey Hudson and Jenn Swenton!

Kelsey is a 19-year old freshman in her first year of rugby, but her athleticism and coachability made her an easy selection for the select-side team. As assistant coach Angie Cranmore said, "Kelsey is all strength and savvy, and her enthusiasm is contagious". Kelsey tried out as a lock, but we all know she's a little short for lock at that level. She'll start to see more playing time in the loose forwards and at prop. My personal opinion is that if Kelsey will accept the challenge, she could be an Eagle prop in no time. Congratulations, Kelsey! Your mates and coaches are proud of your accomplishment.

Jenn is a 20-year old junior in her third year of rugby. Jenn has been on the West U-23 for two years now, last year being selected to the USA National Player Development Pool. We are hoping that Jenn will make the U-23 Eagle team this year. OU men's coach Larry Naifeh says, "Jenn Swenton is the most significant impact player I have observed in the centers. She is exceptional with ball in hand and makes those around her better. Defensively she is the best stopper I have seen. Jenn is excellent to coach, understands our game, and knows how to listen and make adjustments in her game". Congratulations, Jenn! We are proud of your accomplishment. Show Kelsey the ropes!

As always, we are accepting donations to assist these young ladies with travel costs. They will travel to Colorado Springs for training camp, then to Blaine, Minnesota for ITTs at the National Sports Complex. Donations are tax-deductible and can be sent to Dr. Michelle Corr, 2128 W. Boyd St., Norman, OK 73069.

Great job, Roses!
Tracy Curtis
Head Coach
Oklahoma Roses

West Summer Sevens Schedule

Alamo City April 22nd
Midland May 7th
Dallas RFC June 3rd
Houston Athletic Rugby Club June 10th
Austin Huns June 24th West Super Regional
Denver Barbarians July 8th West Super Regional
University of OK (Norman) July 22nd West Super Regional
Corpus Christi July 29th

USA 7’s Club Championships August 12th Ferndale, WA
USA 7’s All Star Championships August 26th Milwaukee, WI

sorry all...was training in Minneapolis, Minnesota since Thursday. Have a final early in the morning and then I will update with all the details!

WE

The West Seniorside Tryouts were held April 28-30, 2006 in conjunction with the Best of the West Tournament in Austin, TX. The team was selected Sunday afternoon and is readying themselves to travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota tomorrow, May 3, 2006.

They will face the Eagles A side on May 6 and the Midwest All Stars on May 7. These matches are a prepareation for the All Star Tournament in Boulder, CO on June 9-11, 2006. The match times and women selected are listed below. Congrats all!

Saturday (May 6)

11:00 AM- Match vs. Eagles A
1:00 PM- Eagles vs. Midwest All Stars

Sunday (May 7)

10:30 AM- Match vs. Midwest All Stars

Selected Players:
Amy Root
Angela Hurt
Angie Poe
Carrie White
Casie McNeil
Christina Kiourtzidis
Cody Monroe
Heather Hoops
Jaime Lange
Janay Lake
Jen Joyce
Jenn Eckles
Jules Lehman
Katie Thoreson
Katie Wurst
Kim Klahn
KJ Abel
Lisa Dieckman
Lynelle Kugler
Marcel Gawronski
Melissa McKibben
Meredith Ottens
Molly Albano
Natascha Michalski
Parisa Asgharzad
Paula Kelly
Sadie Thomas
Soni Lucero
Suzanna Barth
Valerie Griffeth
Wendy Young

Coaches and Staff:
Mark Bullock - Head Coach
Geoff Old - Assitant Coach
Susan Stabler - Manager
David Lee - Trainer

WEST WOMEN'S SEVENS RUGBY CAMP
June 2-4, 2006
Austin, Texas

The coaching staff of Michelle Persica (Head Coach), Deena Telley (Assistant Coach), and Karen Monson (Manager) would like to invite you to attend the West Women's Sevens Rugby camp in Austin, Texas on June 2-4, 2006 at Austin High School.

Last year the team had greater success at the Cape Cod Tournament in Cape Cod, Massachusetts than in the past and proceeded to maintain its position at National All-Star Championships in Boulder, Colorado.

We want to take an even stronger, fitter, faster and more aggressive team to the Cape Fear tournament in Wilmington, North Carolina and the National All-Star Championships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is an opportunity for you to represent the West, your local area union and your club team!

In addition, your participation on the West Women’s Sevens team gives you an opportunity to be seen by the coaches for the National Women’s Sevens team. We want to guide you in your journey to play on the USA Women’s Sevens team. In order to build a more successful team we have included camp criteria. Some of the testing criteria was used at the USA Women's Sevens camp this past year.

Guidelines to attend the camp are as follows:

1. Currently CIPP registered. DO NOT COME TO CAMP IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED.
2. Played rugby at least one full year.
3. Will be available for the Cape Fear Tournament in Wilmington, North Carolina (June 29-July 2) and the National All-Star Tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (August 24-27).
4. Run at least a 5.5 40 yard dash
5. Perform at least 30 push-ups in one minute
6. Perform at least 45 military sit-ups in one minute
7. Perform a proper power lift move-Snatch
8. Perform a proper power lift move-Clean and Jerk
9. Perform a proper power lift move-Squat
10. Perform 10 underhand pull-ups
11. Perform a proper vertical jump onto a 24 inch high platform for 30 seconds
12. Run an endurance test (bleep or 10-100 yard dash timed run and recovery).
13. Camp Fee is $40.00 (includes fees for the fields and referees, water, snacks, lunch and a camp t-shirt).

Please note that these guidelines are just that, guidelines. Do not miss camp because of fear, doubt, unknown performance measures or misconstrued information. Let me know what is going on and we can work on your dilemma or your questions. I am here to help you attain your goals in rugby. Trust and communication is necessary!

It is our goal to have you all housed by the local rugby teams, Deena Telley or myself. It is our intention to save you money, use the West budget wisely, and fundraise in order to cover our expenses for the season. However, if you choose to stay in a hotel or rent a car, you are responsible for the funding and getting to the appropriate places on time.

In addition, immediately after you have decided to attend the camp, you must contact Karen Monson (email/phone) with your travel arrangements. Shortly thereafter, I'll send a more detailed itinerary, a list of special need items for the weekend, a sample nutritional program and a fitness program.

The camp itinerary is as follows (schedule subject to change):

Friday June 2, 2006 at Austin High School
7pm-9pm Weight Lifting Techniques

Saturday June 3, 2006 at Austin High School
9a-12p Fitness Testing
12p-1:30p Lunch
1:30p-4:30p Drills
4:30p-5p Scrimmage
5p-5:30p Q and A
5:30p-10p Head to my second home for swimming, eating and relaxing

Sunday June 4, 2006 at Burr Field
9a-11a Drills
11a-12:30p Scrimmages
12:30p-1p Q and A
1p-1:30p Hugs and Kisses
1:30p Head to the airport or get on the road

*The team will be announced no later than Friday, June 9th.

If you have any questions you may contact me or the following staff at:

Michelle Persica 512-970-3392 livelovelaughter@austin.rr.com
Deena Telley 512-484-3646 deenapuffin@aol.com
Karen Monson 479-313-0633 kmonson2004@yahoo.com

We look forward to seeing you in Austin for the West Women’s Sevens camp!

With great support,
West Coaches

Seems like there is going to be plenty of 7's Tournaments for women this year! This is very exciting, and its good to see the competition among the surrounding clubs.

Keep sending the information in!