Army West Point Athletics
Women's Rugby Blog: A Summer with Team USA
August 10, 2015 | Women's Rugby
It's been a great summer so far.
The summer started off on an excellent note with The Battlefrog College Championships being aired on ESPN2. Our manager and captain Tyree Meadows, had us ready to roll as we took on 15 other colleges in the Obstacle Course Challenge. Our team - Danny Camacho, Christopher Ochs, Kayla Carpenter and myself, successfully improved our time during every stage and eventually won the title despite Ole Miss' athleticism in the Championship Matchup. As the inaugural event concluded we held the Trident Cup, two MVP awards and a check for $10,000 made out to the Corps of Cadets. Our squad was honored in representing West Point. I have no doubt that future obstacle course teams will compete at the same level and preserve our championship run.
Next it was off to James Madison University, where I competed at the National All-Star Competition for a spot on the USA Women's National Rugby Team. Players participating in the week-long camp were to be selected to represent the USA during the Super Series in Alberta, Canada; where they would compete against England, Canada and New Zealand. The competition at the camp was fierce, as more than 100 women battled for a place on the 26-man roster. After being selected for the team, I departed to Alberta.
For the first match of our 10-day tour, we faced the defending World Cup Champions: England. I was allowed nearly 60 minutes of playing time in that first game. . . I could hardly contain my excitement. I must have ran an extra half mile during the first five minutes, before settling down. Although we produced some very encouraging play, England eventually ran away from us; finishing the game with a score of 39-13. I left the pitch humbled, after receiving my first cap.
Next up was Canada: the runner-up to England during the last World Cup. At the end of the first half we were behind 21-8 but a determined Eagle squad took the field at halftime and outscored the home team 28-7 to win 36-28. It was a fantastic feeling, leaving the pitch after my 2nd cap. . . I celebrated with my teammates and my family as we looked ahead to the next match: New Zealand…The Haka…My first start as an Eagle! I felt accomplished and very blessed to be on the pitch that day. What an honor to hear the National Anthem; not only as an athlete but as a Cadet at West Point. It was a tough battle against the Black Ferns but we held our own during the first half. During the second half however, they were able to create overloads that lead to a final score of 47-14 "bad guys" (no offense coach LeClerc).
Next, it was a nine-hour drive with family to Montana to catch the 6:30am flight to report before heading off to Camp Buckner.
Go Army!
-Nicole
Â
The summer started off on an excellent note with The Battlefrog College Championships being aired on ESPN2. Our manager and captain Tyree Meadows, had us ready to roll as we took on 15 other colleges in the Obstacle Course Challenge. Our team - Danny Camacho, Christopher Ochs, Kayla Carpenter and myself, successfully improved our time during every stage and eventually won the title despite Ole Miss' athleticism in the Championship Matchup. As the inaugural event concluded we held the Trident Cup, two MVP awards and a check for $10,000 made out to the Corps of Cadets. Our squad was honored in representing West Point. I have no doubt that future obstacle course teams will compete at the same level and preserve our championship run.
Next it was off to James Madison University, where I competed at the National All-Star Competition for a spot on the USA Women's National Rugby Team. Players participating in the week-long camp were to be selected to represent the USA during the Super Series in Alberta, Canada; where they would compete against England, Canada and New Zealand. The competition at the camp was fierce, as more than 100 women battled for a place on the 26-man roster. After being selected for the team, I departed to Alberta.
For the first match of our 10-day tour, we faced the defending World Cup Champions: England. I was allowed nearly 60 minutes of playing time in that first game. . . I could hardly contain my excitement. I must have ran an extra half mile during the first five minutes, before settling down. Although we produced some very encouraging play, England eventually ran away from us; finishing the game with a score of 39-13. I left the pitch humbled, after receiving my first cap.
Next up was Canada: the runner-up to England during the last World Cup. At the end of the first half we were behind 21-8 but a determined Eagle squad took the field at halftime and outscored the home team 28-7 to win 36-28. It was a fantastic feeling, leaving the pitch after my 2nd cap. . . I celebrated with my teammates and my family as we looked ahead to the next match: New Zealand…The Haka…My first start as an Eagle! I felt accomplished and very blessed to be on the pitch that day. What an honor to hear the National Anthem; not only as an athlete but as a Cadet at West Point. It was a tough battle against the Black Ferns but we held our own during the first half. During the second half however, they were able to create overloads that lead to a final score of 47-14 "bad guys" (no offense coach LeClerc).
Next, it was a nine-hour drive with family to Montana to catch the 6:30am flight to report before heading off to Camp Buckner.
Go Army!
-Nicole
Â
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