High Performance Pathways development ramps up this winter with the USA Women’s U23 Sevens coming together in Chula Vista for a 6-day intensive training camp.
25 of the top Under 23 prospects from across the country will undergo a comprehensive training block culminating in 4 matches to identify talent and assess levels heading into the upcoming 2026 season.
After a successful showing in New Zealand at the Youth Global Sevens with the U18s Sevens Women finishing 4-2 in the Bowl Final, Head Pathways Coach, Irene Gardner shifts focus up the age grades to dial into upcoming batch of USA Eagle prospects.
“We are excited to welcome 25 athletes to Chula Vista for our final Pathway Sevens camp of the year,” commented Gardner, “The camp roster will bring both new and experienced players together for an assessment of their current physical and skill readiness for Sevens. It will give us an opportunity to assess their current level and the physical potential they have in the sport.“
“This is the first USA Rugby Sevens camp for the majority of the camp roster. We are grateful that they are able to take time away during the holidays as they represent their home clubs/teams. We look forward to seeing national team aspirations come to life over the course of the training sessions and scrimmages.”
“Invitations for this camp came from our 2025 USA Rugby Pathway talent identification & scouting efforts, including Talent ID camps, collegiate U23 All Stars, Club 7s Nationals, and collegiate rugby matches and national championship events.”
“This is the final camp of 2025 with an emphasis on talent verification and evaluation of physical potential for our women's sevens program. From this camp, we are looking to place qualified athletes in future opportunities with our Pathway Development Group or the Senior High - Performance Group.”
Stand out players identified from this selection will progress through the pathways player pool and be eligible for selection across various 2026 competitions.
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Kaia Lyons | James Madison University |
| Brooke Crago | Phoenixville Women’s Rugby |
| Emma Hovanec | Berkeley All Blues |
| Falalauola Amanoni | Berkeley All Blues |
| Morgan Raun | Scion Rugby |
| Hehea Pulotu | Dartmouth |
| Seneca Friend | Washington Athletic Club |
| Lucy Powell | MiraCosta College |
| Ashtyn Kelly | UNC Chapel Hill |
| Halle Hunt | Santa Monica Rugby Club |
| Liz Goethal | Cal Poly SLO |
| Savanah Lewis | Phoenix 7s |
| Laryssa Barbosa | Brown University |
| Naomi Collins | All Army |
| Laura Bocek | Breakers / Life West |
| Mia Blocher | Notre Dame |
| Nyah Cordero | Berkeley All Blues |
| Hattie Greenwood | Life University |
| Cienna Jordan | Circle City Tempest / Misfits Rugby |
| Taimane Fiatoa | United States Military Academy |
| Emily Krahn | Chicago North Shore |
| Maurina Street | University of South Dakota Women’s Rugby |
| Kori Fields | Long Island University |
| Jasmine Miller | Unattached |
| Jayna Schalesky | UC Santa Barbara |
Irene Gardner | Women’s Sevens Pathways Head Coach
Kelly Griffin | Women’s Sevens PathwaysAssistant Coach
Jackie Rodriguez | Women’s Sevens Pathways Lead Athletic Trainer
Martha Daines | Head of Player Systems and Development
Kristin Zdanczewicz | Pathways Performance Coach
Becky Huang | Referee
Aiyana Gilliard | Team Services Manager
