Provo, UT - The top ranked Brigham Young University Women’s rugby team wraps up their fall season tryouts, announcing a 45-player roster and preparing for the start of USA Women’s DI College rugby game play.
“I feel really good about the future of the program,” said head coach Tom Waqa. “The quality of players has improved drastically since last year’s tryouts, and I look forward to having a good season with this group.”
The Cougars finished their winter season with a 48-0 victory against Virginia Tech in May of 2019, winning the USA Women’s College Spring DI National Championship. This is the highest rank that the team has achieved since their inaugural season as a BYU sanctioned team in 2016. Moving forward, the team is setting their sights on building a team that can defend that national title.
“Yes, the success of last year was big for our program, but we want to build on it and not rest on our laurels or be complacent,” Waqa said. “We want to work hard and earn our rank again this year.”
After three days of tryouts and 106 new participants, the BYU women’s rugby team announces a roster of 45 players. This roster includes 23 returning members squad members, as well as 22 new athletes.
New team captains were also announced at the conclusion of tryouts. Senior Emily Briggs was named captain, with senior Alisa Baker named as co- captain. Forwards position coach Tevita Atalifo and back line coach Kisa Kalougata also return this season to coach the team alongside Waqa.
Competitive play for begins the team on Saturday Sept. 28 at 10:30am against Utah State on home turf, after an intrasquad blue-white scrimmage on Sept. 21. For more information on game times and tickets, visit womensrugby.byu.edu.
