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USA Women’s Sevens Head Coach Ric Suggitt has named his side for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto. The tournament, set to play July 11-12th, features a handful of teams from the Americas. The 2015 Games marks the first time that Women’s Rugby will be played at the games. Men’s Rugby was played at the 2011 Pan American Games with the USA Men winning the Bronze medal.
The USA Women are pooled with their rivals Canada, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. The Eagles defeated Mexico last weekend to win the NACRA Championship and take their place at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Suggitt has made some small adjustments to the side that won the NACRA Championship. Back in the mix are Megan Bonny, Kathryn Johnson, and Irene Gardner. Big guns Lauren Doyle, Alev Kelter, and Kristen Thomas all return and round out a very good side that looks to take down the tournament favorite Canada.
The USA heads into the tournament with plenty of momentum coming off their route of the NACRA field. The Eagles outscored their opponents 369-5 last weekend in North Carolina. They’ll face tougher competition in Toronto as Brazil has World Series experience and both Argentina and Colombia could surprise. Then, of course, there is Canada. The Maple Leafs finished second on the World Series and won all but one of their head to head matchups with the USA this season.
The USA Women kick off their Pan Am Games schedule on July 11th as they take on Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina. On Day 2 of the event, the Eagles face Mexico and Canada. At the conclusion of pool play, the six teams will be ranked and be paired off to decide the medal winners. The USA remains a favorite to medal in the tournament and as with the men last weekend, there is a strong possibility of a USA/Canada final.
Women’s Eagles Sevens Roster
Toronto 2015 Pan American Games
Megan Bonny, Kelly Griffin, Joanne Fa’avesi, Alev Kelter, Richelle Stephens, Lauren Doyle, Kristen Thomas, Hannah Lopez, Melissa Fowler, Irene Gardner, Kate Zackary, Kathryn Johnson
