Category: 7s

June 30, 2012August 10, 2012

Wisconsin Places 5th at Lakefront 7s

Wisconsin Women at Lakefront 7s, 2012 – Pictured, L-R, first row: Nadia Riese, Meaghan Odling, Jessica Burda, Mike Blaser, Rebecca Stillman, Emi Frerichs; Second Row: Corinna Senn, Nicole Helmer, Mary Hanks, Tonya Achter, Jenny Pederson, Kelly Mullen, Mollie Overby, Maggie Smith.

After a 5th place finish at last week’s first qualifier of the summer, the Wisconsin Women put together a full roster to travel to Milwaukee for the Lakefront 7s.

The team finished 5th again with two losses to Chicago North Shore and the La Crosse Women, respectively. They rallied back in their final match to defeat Ann Arbor again for a final win for the day.

This roster welcomed several new players who had not yet played 7s for the summer. Additionally, several players picked up extra games in the social bracket filling in for the CARFU women’s side (who had late players due to last-minute cancellations).

The women’s team was joined at the tournament by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Women and two sides from the Wisconsin Rugby Club men. All in all, it was a decent day of rugby on the shores of Lake Michigan enjoyed with more than 40 Madison rugby friends.

Thanks again to 7s Coach Nicole Helmer and team captain Kelly Mullen for their leadership this summer!

Tournament Team
Tonya Achter
Michelle “Mike” Blaser
Jessica Burda
Emi Frerichs
Mary Hanks
Nicole Helmer – Coach
Kelly Mullen – Captain
Meaghan Odling
Mollie Overby
Jenny Pederson
Nadia Riese
Corinna Senn
Maggie Smith
Rebecca “Reba” Stillman

June 24, 2012July 23, 2012

Wisconsin Places 5th at Firehouse 7s

2012 Wisconsin 7s at Firehouse 7s — Wisconsin Women’s 7s team at 2012 Firehouse 7s. Front row sitting (l-r): Meaghan Odling, Rebecca Stillman, Mike Blaser, Lulu the Weiner Dog; 2nd Row kneeling: Lily Khadempour, Emi Frerichs, Jessica Burda. Back Row standing: Coach Nicole Helmer, Mollie Overby, Captain Kelly Mullen, Water Man and assistant coach for the day Tim Leslie.

In the team’s first organized attempt at a competitive 7s season, the Wisconsin Women have used the 2012 summer to hold true 7s practices and played in their first Midwest qualifier tournament this past weekend at the Firehouse 7s.

Under 7s coach Nicole Helmer (a Wisconsin center and former Midwest 7s All-Star), the team welcomed a mix of veterans and rookies to learn 7s and compete in this summer’s Midwest Qualifying series.

Held down in Lemont, Illinois, the Firehouse 7s saw both a social and qualifier bracket of talented women’s teams. Wisconsin started play against the Ann Arbor women and struggled to find their rhythm against an opponent that was playing 15s style. Down by two tries, Wisconsin rallied back to end the quick match with a tie.

Later in the afternoon, Wisconsin was defeated by the Detroit Women in a physical match and then earned their second loss against the very talented Youngbloodz from Minnesota featuring a number of USA Eagles. However, the team’s 7s skills improved each game and they found themselves slated to play Ann Arbor again in the final match of the day for 5th place honors.

Now feeling more comfortable in the 7s playing abilities and spacing across the field, Wisconsin dominated the Ann Arbor Women in all aspects of the game to win the match 5 tries to one.

Youngbloodz claimed the tournament title defeating the Chicago North Shore women. Detroit placed third after defeating a CARFU team.

Thank you to Coach Helmer and 7s Captain Kelly Mullen for their leadership. Thank you also to Tim Leslie for coaching and running water.

Wisconsin moves on to the Lakefront 7s next weekend.

Tournament Team:
Michelle “Mike” Blaser
Jessica Burda
Emi Frerichs
Nicole Helmer – Coach
Lily Khadempour
Tim Leslie – Water Man
Kelly Mullen – Captain
Meaghan Odling
Mollie Overby
Rebecca Stillman

August 13, 2011September 14, 2011

Wisconsin Wins Home Tournament

2011 Stuart Daily Memorial Champions! Front: Nicole Helmer; 2nd Row (L-R): Rebecca Stillman, Laura Hanks, Mary Hanks, Kelly Clerkin; 3rd Row (L-R): Shoshana Griffith, Meaghan White, Katie Meyer, Steph Maule, Nadia Riese

The Wisconsin Women capped a beautiful summer of rugby by winning their home tournament – the annual Stuart Daily Memorial Tournament – on Saturday, August 13.

Held at the Wisconsin Rugby Club Sports Complex in nearby Cottage Grove, Wis., Wisconsin fielded two sides for the tournament. Wisconsin’s 1st side took the title, while the second side provided games for developing players and UW-Madison players.

1st Side Roster: Kelly Clerkin, Shoshana Griffith, Laura Hanks, Mary Hanks, Nicole Helmer, Katie Meyer, Steph Maule, Nadia Riese, Rebecca Stillman, Meaghan White.