With the upcoming Junior Pan American Games taking place in Asunción, Paraguay later this summer, the USA Women's Rugby Junior National Teams have assembled top junior talent for a training camp at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, California.
Coaches have identified a talented pool of emerging Under-21 athletes from across the nation, all vying for a spot on the final roster that will represent the United States at the Junior PanAm Games August 9 through 23.
The week-long camp featured rigorous training sessions, tactical reviews, and competitive scrimmages designed to assess each player's skills and begin the process of fostering a cohesive team unit. Set at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, the training site for USA Rugby sevens programs, the world-class facilities offer players a taste of high performance training during this critical phase of team selection.
Head coach, Irene Gardner commented;
“This week we welcomed 37 athletes ages 16 - 20 to the first Women’s Sevens Pathway camp of 2025. The roster included some players who have been part of our Sevens Pathway for the last 1-2 years, while others were invited through ID’d from a 15’s Pathways event, a 2025 Regional Talent ID camp, or at a collegiate or high school competition this year.
About half of the athletes were at their first Sevens camp and doing incredibly well which reinforces the purpose of our Women’s Pathway Talent Identification strategies for 2025.
“Our aim was to verify our talent pool while developing core skills needed at the high performance level for Sevens. Secondarily, it also serves as a selection event for the Junior Pan American Games which will be held in August in Paraguay. As coaches, we have been very impressed with the progress of the athletes over the week going from technical skill development, to physical testing, into scrimmages.
“I am ecstatic about the growth of these young athletes in just a few days of camp. Not only are we seeing a rapid progression of skill as they bring attention to small details, we are witnessing a growth in game understanding as they are eager to learn. It is very exciting for the future of women’s sevens as we continue to build our player pool.”
Following the conclusion of the camp, coaching staff will evaluate player performances to select the final squad that will represent USA Rugby at the Junior Pan American Games for it’s debut in the competition.
| Name | Team |
|---|---|
| Alyssa Hine | Idaho Rocky Mountain Rugby |
| Ana Tuitavake | East County Grackles (OR) |
| Annabella (Bella) Vogel | Life University |
| Annie Henrich | Dartmouth (NH) |
| Annie Huettel | Princeton |
| Ariane Moeai | United Rugby UT |
| Chloe DeLeon | West Point (NY) |
| Eleva Kalei Moala | Wolverines Rugby Club |
| Ella Elordi | Eagle High |
| Ella Huntley | Sacred Heart University |
| Fane Tausinga | Majestics (UT) |
| Florinalaulaau (Nalu) Liufau | Belmont Shore |
| Genie Dickens | Brown |
| Giselle Long | West Side Revenge |
| Hailey Russer | Summit High School (CO) |
| Jayna Schalesky | UC Santa Barbara |
| Katija Crawford | Dartmouth College |
| Khalea Pahulu | Belmont Shore |
| Kiyanah Edwards | AIC (MA) |
| Kori Fields | Long Island University |
| Lionala Mayorga | At Large |
| Madelyn Hubbell | Harvard |
| Margaret McPherson | Long Island University |
| Marley Larkin | Majestics (UT) |
| Mia Oh | Belmont Shore |
| Mia Taylor | UC San Diego |
| Nakato Myers | Cobras |
| Nila Lolesio-Pua | Belmont Shore |
| Olivia Frisby | Life University |
| Paola Arrendondo Almeida | Dartmouth College |
| Sara McRae | Try Time Rugby Club |
| Shawnee Asiata | Majestics (UT) |
| Sydney-Rae Pua | Belmont Shore |
| Tahna Wilfley | Colorado Grey Wolves |
| Teagan Barth | Summit High School |
| Vasiti Turagavou | Dartmouth (NH) |
| Zoe Zumbro | Belmont Shore High school |
Irene Gardner | Head Coach
Ben Pinkleman | Coach
Kristin Zdanczewicz | S&C
Maria Adams | Operations Manager
Jackie Rodriguez | Athletic Trainer
Sam Queen | Athletic Trainer
