Katrina Anderson: From ACL Recovery to WPL Captain

Katrina Anderson, known as Trina to her friends and teammates, was born in Newberg, Oregon, and grew up on a dairy farm, where hard physical work was part of her daily routine. Her childhood was filled with sports, with soccer being her first love. She began playing sports at a young age and quickly became known for her physicality and competitiveness, especially in co-ed rec league soccer where she took pride in outplaying the boys.

Trina’s journey into rugby began fall of 2012 during her freshman year at the University of North Dakota. Originally intending to play soccer, Trina found herself drawn to rugby when soccer tryouts were unavailable. Despite the team being small, struggling for numbers, and often practicing with the boys due to a lack of a coach, Trina was captivated by the sport.

Her sophomore year saw a transfer to the University of Wisconsin River Falls, where she continued to play rugby for the next 3.5 years. As part of a small D3 college club team with player-coaches, Trina quickly became a leader. Despite her limited knowledge of the game, she was voted team captain and coach during her last two years, playing primarily as a 10 to maximize her involvement in the game.

In 2015, Trina attended tryouts for the Minnesota select side, where she didn’t make the team but gained valuable experience. A year later, she returned and made the U23 Minnesota select side team in 2016, which ignited her passion for higher-level rugby. Under the guidance of coaches Reebok and Lynell, Trina was introduced to her first real coaching experience. At the LAUs tournament, she was shifted from her usual position to play fullback, and then during the U23 Midwest Thunderbird tryouts, she was unexpectedly placed at flanker. Even though this wasn’t the first time she had played this position, the shift was transformative, as it led her to fall in love with the position and commit to becoming the best flanker she could be.

Trina joined the Twin Cities Amazons in the spring of 2017 after graduating from college but didn’t play her first game until the fall of 2018 due to an ACL tear in a pre-season scrimmage. Her off-season training now focuses on strength and speed, with active recovery, ensuring she maintains her physical and mental fitness throughout the year.

Trina faced one of her biggest challenges as an athlete in 2022 when she underwent her second ACL reconstruction surgery. Returning to the pitch was a difficult process, both mentally and physically, as she struggled with confidence and trust in her body. It wasn’t until she started a new workout program designed specifically for her that she began to regain her strength and speed, eventually feeling like her old self again.

A memorable highlight in Trina’s career came in 2022 when she was selected to play for the WPL All-Star team against the USA Falcons in Colorado. This opportunity allowed her to connect with players from across the country, creating lasting memories and reinforcing her love for the game.

Balancing rugby with work and family is a challenge, but Trina manages to plan her life around her rugby commitments. Her resilience is evident not only in her return from injuries but also in her ability to maintain this balance.

For young athletes starting out in rugby, Trina advises them to listen to their bodies, increase their rugby IQ by watching film and learning the laws, and ensure they fuel their bodies properly. She also stresses the importance of training outside of practice.

Looking to the future, Trina sees rugby growing in popularity in the U.S., especially after the USA’s bronze medal success at the Olympics. She hopes to be part of this evolution by playing in the first women’s professional XVs league. Beyond rugby, Trina envisions herself staying involved in the sport for the rest of her life, whether through playing, coaching, promoting, administrative roles, or simply as a passionate fan. Additionally, she looks forward to starting a family and possibly getting into CrossFit or powerlifting.

Katrina Anderson’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, dedication, and passion for the sport of rugby. As she continues to lead the Twin Cities Amazons, her story inspires others to push through challenges and pursue their athletic dreams.