HANOVER, N.H.—USA Rugby recently announced its USA Falcons 7s squad for the upcoming EAAST 7s Elite Development Tournament in Cognac and Haguenau, France. Following outstanding 7s seasons, Dartmouth’s Katelyn Walker and Annie Henrich have been called up to the team.
Walker just wrapped up her junior season and played a huge role in both 15s and 7s. Walker scored 50 points for the Big Green in 7s including five at the CRAA 7s National Championships. Following the national championship, Walker was named Most Outstanding Player for the tournament. In 15s play, she scored eight tries for the Big Green.
Henrich had a breakout first season with the Big Green as she led the team in scoring in 15s and was second on the team in scoring during 7s. In the Ivy 7s Tournament, the Orchard Park, N.Y. native tallied 28 points on four tries and four conversions. During 15s play she led the team with nine tries and 31 conversions.
Dartmouth head coach Katie Downy is proud to see both Walker and Henrich on the world stage “Katelyn and Annie both had stand-out 7s seasons and are very deserving of the opportunity to show what they can do at the international level. I have no doubt they will be game changers at the next level as well. They both have incredible work rate and do the little things consistently well. Annie has the highest work rate in the midfield of any player I’ve ever seen, and Katelyn’s finishing ability and speed has consistently led us to wins in high pressure moments. More importantly, they are both incredible leaders who drive elite performance behaviors. They both have incredibly bright futures in the game, and this is an exciting step on that journey.”
The USA Rugby Falcons is the top development team for the Women’s National Team which features multiple Dartmouth alums including Ariana Ramsey ’22 and He Humphreys ’23.
Humphreys will join Walker and Henrich in France with the tournament beginning May 31st and running through June 8th.
Dartmouth Rugby Stars Shine: An Expert’s Take on the USA Falcons 7s Selections
Time.news recently reported on the exciting news that Dartmouth College’s Katelyn Walker and Annie Henrich have been selected for the USA Falcons 7s squad, set to compete in the EAAST 7s Elite Development Tournament in France. To delve deeper into the significance of this achievement, we spoke with renowned rugby analyst, Dr. Evelyn Reed, about the rising stars and the future of USA Women’s Rugby 7s.
Time.news Editor: Dr.Reed, thank you for joining us. The selection of Katelyn Walker and Annie henrich for the USA Falcons 7s team is generating buzz. What makes this news so significant?
Dr. evelyn Reed: It’s a testament to the growing strength of collegiate women’s rugby, particularly at institutions like Dartmouth. The USA Falcons 7s is the premier development pathway for the Women’s National Team, so these selections signify that Walker and Henrich are being considered for the highest levels of competition. It’s a crucial step in their journey as elite rugby players.
Time.news Editor: Katelyn Walker’s performance has been particularly highlighted. What are her key strengths that set her apart?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Walker’s impact on the Dartmouth team has been undeniable. Her speed and finishing ability are remarkable, as evidenced by her being named most Outstanding Player at the CRAA 7s National Championships. Scoring 50 points in 7s and eight tries in 15s demonstrates a remarkable versatility and scoring prowess that translates well to the international stage. That kind of performance is why she’s being looked at for the USA Rugby sevens squad.
Time.news Editor: Annie Henrich’s breakout frist season also caught our attention. What does she bring to the table?
Dr.Evelyn Reed: Henrich’s performance, especially as a first-year player, is incredibly impressive. Leading the team in scoring in 15s and being second in 7s speaks volumes about her immediate impact. Her high work rate in the midfield, as noted by her coach, is crucial in 7s where fitness and relentless effort are paramount. She’s a player who consistently makes a difference weather it’s in Ivy League 7s Tournament competition or the bigger stage.
Time.news Editor: Their coach, Katie Dowty, emphasized their leadership qualities. How vital is leadership in a fast-paced sport like rugby sevens?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Leadership is absolutely vital. In rugby sevens,decisions need to be made in split seconds. Players need to be able to communicate effectively, inspire their teammates, and maintain composure under pressure. Coaches aren’t always able to give instructions so, having those leadership qualities on the field can be the difference between winning and losing.
Time.news Editor: The article mentions that several Dartmouth alums, like Ariana Ramsey and Hanni Humphreys, have also played for the Women’s National Team. Does this Dartmouth connection signal a growing trend?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Absolutely. It highlights the quality of the women’s rugby program at Dartmouth and the coaching staff’s ability to cultivate talent that can compete at the international level. It also creates a positive cycle, where current players are inspired by the success of their predecessors. It shows that with the right infrastructure and coaching, US universities can be fertile ground for international rugby talent.
Time.news Editor: What advice would you give to aspiring young rugby players who dream of one day representing the USA on the world stage?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: First, focus on developing a strong foundation of basic skills.Mastering the basics of passing, tackling, and rucking is essential. Second, prioritize fitness. Rugby sevens is an incredibly demanding sport, so you need to be in peak physical condition. Third, embrace teamwork and leadership. Rugby is a team sport and the better you are at communicating and working with your teammates, the more successful you’ll be. Then if all goes well, you might make the USA Falcons 7s team one day!
Time.news Editor: Dr. Reed,thank you for providing these valuable insights. We wish Katelyn Walker, Annie Henrich, and Hanni Humphreys all the best at the EAAST 7s Elite Development Tournament!
Dr. Evelyn Reed: My pleasure.It’s an exciting time for USA Rugby, and I’m eager to see what these talented athletes achieve.
