Residents added to USA Rugby programs at Olympic Training Center

At the close of the most recent high performance camp, USA 7s Women’s Head Coach, Jules McCoy signed a number of new female athletes to the Olympic Residency program. This includes capped Eagles Carmen Farmer, Irene Gardner, and Jessica Javelet. We’re particularly excited about the return of these capped eagles as they’ve been missed on the circuit!

Other new faces include Rachel Griendling and Ashley Perry who were coached by McCoy at American Rugby Pro Training Center in Little Rock, Ark., and won a Club 7s National Championship with the NDA’s side in Des Moines. Their acclimation to the OTC has been accelerated due to the full-time environment in Arkansas, which has also produced capped Eagles in the 15s game.

Younger athletes, Richelle Stephens and Nia Williams – All-American representatives at multiple age-grade levels – will push teammates that have been at the OTC in previous years for roster spots, while pacey Olympic bobsledder Emily Azevedo brings her knowledge of the Games to the program.

“We looked to add some decision makers and speed this go around, players who might play their way in based on our new approach to the game for the Series,” McCoy said. “Hunter [Griendling] and Ashley have been in full-time residency at ARPTC, which mimics the OTC and its resources, so they have filled in nicely. Nia Williams and Jessica Javelet are very threatening runners who have the gas to finish tries for us.

“We will add one or two more by the end of the year, as well. Overall, the level of athleticism and speed has risen overnight – it’s going to be a fun ride for us all.”

Hired in September, McCoy has worked with the retained coaching staff as well as Friday and Brown at the OTC to raise the intensity and improve on the fifth-place finish the Eagles had to the 2014-15 Women’s Sevens Series. With more athletes at the OTC and Rio qualification secured, the Eagles can focus on the on-the-pitch product.

“Both programs have been doing the difficult conditioning work needed this preseason to attempt to peak by next August,” Magleby said. “Months in the desert grinding away—it is a challenge many of the players have embraced. The next couple of weeks will be exciting as both teams transition to ‘compete mode’ for Dubai Sevens.”

The Women’s Sevens Series kicks off in Dubai Dec. 3, a day prior to the men’s tournament.

Women’s Eagles Sevens | Residency Athletes
Emily Azevedo
Akalaini Baravilala
Amelia Bizer
Megan Bonny
Lauren Doyle
Joanne Fa’avesi
Carmen Farmer
Victoria Folayan
Irene Gardner
Rachel Griendling
Kelly Griffin
Abby Gustaitis
Jessica Javelet
Kathryn Johnson
Alev Kelter
Hannah Lopez
Elise Miller
Amy Naber
Jane Paar
Ashley Perry
Jillion Potter
Richelle Stephens
Kristen Thomas
Nia Williams
Kate Zackary

Women’s Eagles Sevens | Coaching Staff
Jules McCoy – Head Coach
Richie Walker – Assistant Coach
Jared Siegmund – Strength and Conditioning Coach
Nicole Titmas – Head Athletic Trainer
JoAnne Kos – Manager
Yvonne Parkhurst – High Performance Team Services Manager

2015-16 HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series | Calendar
Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens – Dec. 3-4, 2015
Brazil Women’s Sevens – Feb. 20-21, 2016
Atlanta 7s – April 8-9, 2016
Canada Women’s Sevens – April 16-17, 2016