USA Rugby announces attendees for four All-American Winter Camps in Chula Vista
| UPDATE 12/22 | Tyren Al-Jiboori removed from Men’s U19; Shannon Hicks added to the Girls U18. Updates reflected in table below. |
| UPDATE 12/28 | Beyonce Dennis added to Girls U18. Updates reflected in table below. |
- 179 attendees named for four separate age-grade camps taking place in Chula Vista Dec. 26-31
- Players span girls and boys U18 and U19 programs
- Girls to conclude camp with intrasquad matches on Dec. 31; U18s play 15s and 7s
- U18 boys to face Canada U18s on Dec. 28 and Dec. 31
- U19 boys face Belmont Shore Development on Dec. 30
- A collection of matches will be streamed LIVE on Facebook
CHULA VISTA, CA. – USA Rugby has today announced the names of 179 athletes who will participate in one of four All-American Winter Camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista Dec. 26-31.
The four camps will include the under-18 Girls and Boys High School All-Americans and under-19 Women’s and Men’s rising Junior All-Americans. Each group will participate in its own schedule of training and trial games with the men’s teams arriving on Dec. 26 and the women’s teams arriving on Dec. 27. Each under-18 camp will feature 61 girls and 51 boys with each under-19 camp hosting 36 girls and 31 boys.
The Girls High School All-Americans (U18) and rising Women’s Junior All-Americans (U19) will each end their camp with a collection of intrasquad matches on New Year’s Eve. The U18s will play two matches, one 15s and one 7s, while the U19s will play one 15s match.
On the boys High School All-American side, the U18s will split into two teams called USA Red and USA Blue to face two under-18 teams from Canada on Dec. 28 and Dec. 31. Two matches will be played per day.
The rising Men’s Junior All-Americans (U19) were originally intended to play a Canadian side as well, but with Canada’s U19s unable to attend, the All-Americans will instead play a development team from Belmont Shore Rugby. Runners up in the 2018 Men’s Division I Club Championships, Belmont Shore and the USA U19s will play a single match on Dec. 30.
Athletes for each camp were selected from recent age-grade assemblies, Regional Cup Tournaments (U18), college and club competitions across the nation. The under-18 boys will be led by Director of Boys High School All-Americans Brendan Keane with Men’s Junior All-Americans Head Coach Scott Bracken leading the under-19s. Both women’s camps will be led by Director of Girls High School All-Americans Martha Daines.
The rising Women’s Junior All-Americans will see four players return from the U20 Women’s Tri-Nations Cup in Cassidy Bargell, Tori Jones, Samantha Tancredi and Elizabeth Wilson. Accompanying them are five players from the recent Can-Am Futures Sevens tournament at the High School All-American level including Isabella Devore, Sophia Haley, Clara Lemal-Brown, Alexandra Pipkin and Nohea Uluave.
Rising Men’s Junior All-Americans will see Bailey Wilson and Ethan McVeigh serve as Captain and Vice-Captain, respectively. Both Wilson and McVeigh displayed outstanding leadership skills over the summer during the World Rugby U20 Trophy Qualifier Series with Canada.
2018 Youth Olympian Tyren Al-Jiboori — now part of the senior Men’s Sevens Residency program — and Faitala Talapusi who has been capped in the senior HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will also join the U19s.
A pair of cousins will join the Girls High School All-Americans in Amaya and Manaia Moala. The duo are two of three U18 girls who compete together with the South Bay Spartans.
The Boys High School All-American camp will have 33 returning players from last year’s winter camp with 2018 Youth Olympian Isaia Kruse and Will Chevalier (traveling reserve for the same Youth Olympics) also in the mix.
Director of Girls High School All-Americans Martha Daines said: “Our goal for this camp was to cast as wide a net as possible, bringing in promising players from all around the country. This large group of athletes is incredibly diverse and will benefit by learning from each other in their intrasquad matches. For many players this will be the first national camp they’ve attended. I’m looking forward to seeing how they all respond to the challenge and how much returning players have improved and grown since we saw them last.”
Director of Boys High School All-Americans Brendan Keane said: “With so many up and coming players, it is difficult to select 51 athletes from the entire United States in such a way that their skills, talents, experience, and physical attributes will complement each other to make two high-functioning teams with a short window of preparation time. The identification process is constantly ongoing and we are excited to have so many players who will be representing their country on the field for the first time.
“Earning the opportunity to pull on a USA jersey and compete against another country is something special and our staff are confident the group selected will represent the United States well against our Canadian rivals. We have great respect for Canadian U18 Coach Mike Curran and his staff and know they will bring two skilled and physical teams. We are looking forward to exposing our young players to a challenging international series.”
Men’s Junior All-Americans Head Coach Scott Bracken said: “When reviewing the geographic diversity of our athletes, it is apparent that we search out the best young men for our team regardless of domicile. We look at an athlete’s current form in their college or club, past performances as indicated in selections made from this summer’s Canada series; as well as numerous coaches’ recommendations and film. Many of our athletes are former High School All-Americans taking the next step and we are also proud to have athletes entering the All-American system for the first time.
“Our Captain Bailey WIlson of Utah Valley and Vice Captain, Ethan McVeigh of Cardiff Metropolitan University, Wales, have been in the All-American system for some time. Both are well respected by the lads and lead from the front.”
Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center VP of Business Operations, Spencer Jamison said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to host more than 150 up-and-coming rugby players in USA Rugby’s winter camp at the training center. Our facilities have always been dedicated to providing athletes with the best environment to prepare for their futures as elite players. With so many Olympians on-site every day, the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center will foster an inspiring setting for these young women and men to absorb.”
Updates for all four of USA Rugby’s All-American Winter Camps will be available by following @USARugby on Twitter. Information on how to follow trial matches for each age-group will be confirmed closer to date.
In all, the All-American program plays a pivotal role in the identification and development of future national team players. And, in order for players to attend assemblies such as Winter Camp, monetary support from the greater community is crucial so athletes don’t have to pay to play for their country. To support USA Rugby’s All-American programs, click here.
Girls High School All-American Attendees (U18)*
| Player | High School or Community Club |
|---|---|
| Lewanda Aspinall | United (UT) |
| Kapoina Bailey | Kona Bulls (HI) |
| Carlicia Beam | Freedom Prep (TN) |
| Kaitlyn “Esreal” Bell | Broken Arrow (OK) |
| Kristin Bitter | Torrey Pines (CA) |
| Katherine Buzby | Belmont Shore (CA) |
| Jenaya Caban | PRUSA (NY) |
| Gracie Cartwright | Pleasanton Cavaliers (CA) |
| Erica Cathey | Freedom Prep (TN) |
| Alyssa Cunningham | Catholic Memorial (WI) |
| Beyonce Dennis | Play Rugby USA (NY) |
| Alle English | Lakewood (OH) |
| Abby Fearey | San Marcos (CA) |
| Lauren Ferridge | Maryland Exiles (MD) |
| Joyleen Fifita | Denver East (CO) |
| Nafanua Fitisemanu | United (UT) |
| Tupou Fononga | Centennial (OR) |
| Emma Fredlund-Adams | Meridian (ID) |
| Mikayla Gamangasso | Wasatch (UT) |
| Itzel George-Murguia | Valley Panthers (OR) |
| Ellis Gunter | Denver South (CO) |
| Jayla Hampton | Soulsville (TN) |
| Tessa Hann | Westside Swarm (CO) |
| Jocelyn Hanson | Rocky Mountain (ID) |
| Shannon Hicks | Mission Vista (CA) |
| Tiyana Hooker | White Horse High (PA) |
| Kaloni Hotton | Herriman Mustangs (UT) |
| Abigail Kayser | Divine Savior Holy Angels (WI) |
| Avery Keomra | Taft (IL) |
| Nicole Kimball | Summit (CO) |
| Alilia Lavemai | Beaverton Lady Barbarians (OR) |
| Reina Lavulavu | United (UT) |
| Johnneisha Lee | Taft (IL) |
| Lori Liddic | Park Hill Lady Dragons (MO) |
| Siniva Mailo | Carson (CA) |
| Sofia Mancini | Malvern Prep (PA) |
| Isabelle Masi | Morris Rugby (NJ) |
| Angelina “Nina” Mason | Doylestown (PA) |
| Daria McCabe | Southington (CT) |
| Amaya Moala | South Bay Spartans (CA) |
| Manaia Moala | South Bay Spartans (CA) |
| Emma Morino | Morris Rugby (NJ) |
| Libby Moser | North Central (IN) |
| Alycia Namosimalua | SacPD PAL (CA) |
| Mahdia Parker | New York Rugby (NY) |
| Cecelia Pennell | Summit (CO) |
| Olivia Popp | Land Park Harlequins (CA) |
| Ava Procter | Lake Oswego (OR) |
| Madeline Rose | Scottsdale (AZ) |
| Taina Scott | Kahuku (HI) |
| Bella Sinatra | Malvern Prep (PA) |
| Punipuao Skipps | South Bay Spartans (CA) |
| Princess Tafiti | United (UT) |
| Kerena Tinoisamoa | Tri-City Thunder (CA) |
| Shy Tonumaipea | Carson (CA) |
| Kelly Tosheff | La Costa Canyon (CA) |
| Makenna Tuman | West Pittsburgh Foxes (PA) |
| Zonaye Tupuola | Carson (CA) |
| Jayla Twitty | Cincinnati Walnut Hills (OH) |
| Anna Van Dyk | Palmer (CO) |
| Paula Vincze | Summit (CO) |
| Alexandra Wantlin | Wellington Wizards (FL) |
*Player positions will be confirmed ahead of trial matches on Dec. 31.
Rising Women’s Junior All-American Attendees (U19)*
| Player | School/Club |
|---|---|
| Alejandra Ada | Dartmouth |
| Ubaida Ahmed | Mount St. Mary’s |
| Destiny Arena | Lindenwood |
| Cassidy Bargell | Harvard |
| Megan Bird | Davenport |
| Mckenzie Borchers | Army |
| Bailey Burt | Colby-Sawyer |
| Kelly DeGrood | St. Bonaventure |
| Isabella Devore | Lindenwood |
| Moira Dillow | Lindenwood |
| Giovanna Ferguson-Lewis | Army |
| Sophia Haley | Dartmouth |
| Saher Hamdan | Notre Dame |
| Erica Jarrell | Harvard |
| Tori Jones | Notre Dame |
| Allison Koenig | Quinnipiac |
| Jessica Laughlin | Lindenwood |
| Clara Lemal-Brown | Quinnipiac |
| Aviana Matteo | Notre Dame |
| Shariyf Mayer | Northern Virginia Rugby (NOVA) |
| Lynsey McKinney | Texas A&M |
| Ryan Payne | View Park (CA) |
| Marin Pennell | Dartmouth |
| Alexandra Pipkin | North Bay Rugby |
| Karissa Postula | Oregon Sports Rugby |
| Ariana Ramsey | Dartmouth |
| Matja Saarenheimo-VanderHorst | Quinnipiac |
| Marion Sellier | Brown |
| Joannah Skucek | Lindenwood |
| Samantha Tancredi | Lindenwood |
| Selma Taylor | Wayne State |
| Hailey Thomas | Queens |
| Zyana Thomas | Brown |
| Nohea Uluave | Lindenwood |
| Nicole Wantlin | Army |
| Elizabeth Wilson | Northern Virginia Rugby (NOVA) |
| Glory Woolley | Oklahoma State |
*Player positions will be confirmed ahead of trial matches on Dec. 31.
Boys High School All-American Attendees (U18)
| Player Name | Position | High School or Community Club |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy Adie | Prop | Pike (IN) |
| David Afa’ese | Prop | Penn (IN) |
| Max Alcalde | Fly-half | Capital (ID) |
| Liam Andersen | Back-Row | Morris (NJ) |
| Jonah Auvaa | Prop | Rainier Highlanders (WA) |
| Shane Barry | Halfback | Reeds Weybridge (ENG) |
| David Boatwright | Second Row | Red Mountain Knights (AZ) |
| Ryan Bullock | Hooker | Germantown (TN) |
| Will Chevalier | Center | Neuqua Valley (IL) |
| Mariano Delgado | Prop | Herriman (UT) |
| Gus Dellinger | Back Row | Hollidaysburg (PA) |
| Aizak Fido | Prop | St. Paul (CA) |
| Matthew Freeman | Hooker | Gonzaga College High (DC) |
| Mateo Gadsden | Wing | Back Bay (CA) |
| Junior Gafa | Center | St. John Bosco (CA) |
| Gage Gibson | Second Row | Wando (SC) |
| Lewis Gray | Wing | Jupiter Sharks (FL) |
| Jonathan Haley | Fullback | Back Bay (CA) |
| Dylan Hendricks | Center | Pulaski Roos (WI) |
| George Henry Miller, V. | Hooker | Jesuit (CA) |
| Charlie Hola | Second Row | Tempe Old Devils (AZ) |
| Ultan Horrigan | Fullback | Georgetown (MD) |
| Kaipono Kayoshi | Back-Row | Granite Bay (CA) |
| Karl Keane | Halfback | Eastside Lions (WA) |
| Isaia Kruse | Wing | Bullard (CA) |
| Cosmas Kwete | Second Row | Phoenix Firebirds (AZ) |
| Russell Lemaster | Back Row | Royal Irish (IN) |
| Francisco Liguori | Fullback | Greenwich (CT) |
| Alex Lopeti | Prop | Peninsula Green (CA) |
| Miles McCormick | Back Row | Belmont Shore (CA) |
| Jack McCrossin | Back Row | Fort Hunt (VA) |
| Ronnie McElligott | Back Row | San Francisco Golden Gate (CA) |
| Cyprian Miller | Wing | Phoenix Firebirds (AZ) |
| Juan “Bau” Molinari | Flyhalf | Gonzaga College High (DC) |
| Tiaan Mosconi | Halfback | J Serra (CA) |
| Patrick Murtagh | Back Row | Xavier (NY) |
| Sean Nolan | Flyhalf | Back Bay (CA) |
| Trevor Pacheco | Wing | Back Bay (CA) |
| Benjamin Porter | Hooker | SC Frankfurt 1880 (GER) |
| Dylan Ramirez | Wing | South Bay Spartans (CA) |
| Mavaeganailetai Apelu Roberts | Prop | South Bay Spartans (CA) |
| Max Schumacher | Flyhalf | Jesuit (CA) |
| Cole Semu | Center | Chuckanut Bay (WA) |
| Quinn Sheppard | Second Row | C.K. McClatchy (CA) |
| Carson Shoemaker | Second Row/Back Row | Arrowhead Berserkers (AZ) |
| Matthew Start | Center | Myers Park (NC) |
| Isaiah Taliulu | Center | Waikiki Beach Boys (HI) |
| Dominic Tianga | Back Row | Wellington Wizards (FL) |
| Chad Tiernan | Back Row | Cardinal Gibbons (FL) |
| Sebastiano Villani | Halfback | Greenwich (CT) |
| Ray Weiner | Prop | Aspetuck Valley (CT) |
Rising Men’s Junior All-American Attendees (U19)*
| Player Name | Position | School/Club |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Benjamin | Halfback | Caldy Rugby (ENG) |
| Asa Carter | Second Row | Arkansas State |
| Matt Gelhaus | Second Row | Kutztown |
| Cam Di Giorgio | Backrow | Iona College |
| Jake Goeppner | Wing | Kentucky |
| Andy Guhl | Prop | Indiana |
| Ryan James | Wing | San Diego Legion Academy |
| Chase Jones | Second Row/Back row | St. Mary’s College of California |
| Siope Kaloamotangi | Prop | Tempe Old Devils |
| Ian Kilcullen | Center | Penn State |
| Braden Looper | Hooker | Arizona |
| Sean Lumkong | Center | Brown |
| Griffin Maat | Flanker | Baylor |
| Ethan McVeigh (VC) | Halfback | Cardiff Met (WAL) |
| Matthew Meehan | Hooker | Army |
| Joe Marchant | Prop | St. Mary’s College of California |
| Doug Mitchell | Prop | Central Washington |
| Chris Noggle | Flanker | Santa Barbara Rugby |
| Charlie Overton | Second Row | Penn State |
| Quinn Perry | Center | Santa Monica Rugby |
| Nick Smith | Back | Texas State |
| Owen Sheehy | Flyhalf | Wisconsin |
| Brock Stinson | Wing | Kutztown |
| Faitala Talapusi | Flyhalf | USA Men’s Sevens Residency |
| Kyle Van Tonder | Fullback | Boise United |
| Will Vakalahi | Backrow | Davenport |
| Mike Weir | Flyhalf | Dartmouth |
| Jack Wendling | Center | Central Washington |
| Bailey Wilson (C) | Backrow | Utah Valley |
| Noah Wright | Fullback | Central Washington |
Girls Winter Camp Staff (U18 and U19)
Director, Girls High School All-Americans | Martha Daines
U18 Coach | Rys Chadwick
U18 Coach | Sue Whitewell
U18 Coach | Josie Zulica
U18 Strength & Conditioning Coach | Mic Staniford
U19 Lead Coach | Chago Ricardo Ramirez
U19 Coach | Craig Wilson
U19 Coach | Emily Record
U19 Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten
Project SOAR Coach | Joel Bonnaud
Project SOAR Coach | Garrett Fisher
Performance Analyst | Ken Pape
Head Athletic Trainer | Diane Watanabe
Athletic Trainer | Danielle Allen
Athletic Trainer | Krystina Aguilera
Team Manager | Annemarie Farrell
Pathway Manager | Anna Kunkel
Boys Winter Camp Staff (U18 and U19)
Director & Head Coach of High School All-Americans | Brendan Keane
Head Coach, Men’s Junior All-Americans | Scott Bracken
U18 Assistant Coach/Attack | Jason McVeigh
U18 Assistant Coach/Defense | Shalom Suniula
U18 Assistant Coach/Scrum | Tim Kluempers
U18 Assistant Coach/Lineouts & Restarts | Lou Stanfill
U19 Assistant Coach/Attack | Brendan O’Meara
U19 Assistant Coach/Defense | Michael Engelbrecht
U19 Assistant Coach/Lineouts | Liam Harnett
U19 Director of Strength & Conditioning | Justin Goonan
Director Strength & Conditioning – Justin Goonan
Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng
Performance Analyst | Bradley Dufek
Performance Analyst | Tom Argy
Performance Analyst | Nicolas Tyson
Director of Operations, All-American Programs | Kevin McCorry II
USA Rugby Winter Camps 2018 Schedule
All times Pacific
Friday, Dec. 28
U18 Boys High School All-Americans
USA Red vs Canada White | 1 PM
USA Blue vs Canada Red | 3 PM
WATCH LIVE ON FACEBOOK
Sunday, Dec. 30
Rising Men’s Junior All-Americans (U19)
vs Belmont Shore Development | 2 PM
WATCH LIVE ON FACEBOOK
Monday, Dec. 31
U19 Rising Women’s Junior All-American 15s
Intrasquad match | 9 AM
WATCH LIVE ON FACEBOOK
U18 Boys High School All-Americans
USA Blue vs Canada Red | 10 AM
SCORE UPDATES ON TWITTER
U18 Girls High School All-American 15s
Intrasquad match | 10:30 AM
WATCH LIVE ON FACEBOOK
U18 Boys High School All-Americans
USA Red vs Canada White | 11:30 AM
SCORE UPDATES ON TWITTER
U18 Girls High School All-American 7s
Intrasquad match | 12 PM
WATCH LIVE ON FACEBOOK
*Updates will be communicated via @USARugby on Twitter.
