[DES MOINES, IA] – This year the Midwest Women’s U23 Thunderbirds will be competing in the National All Star Tournament, in Des Moines, IA on June 23rd and 25th. Last year, the Thunderbirds placed 2nd, and will look to bring home the Championship this year in Tier One of the competition. Friday’s semi-final match will see the Thunderbirds taking on a very tough Pacific Coast Grizzlies side at 3:30 pm.

Athletes were chosen after attending an invitation only camp earlier in June in Milwaukee WI, where friendly competition and skill-building lead to the following team’s selection from the seventy (70) invited athletes. “Thanks to the hard work of state-based teams this year, we have been able to see an additional layer of development for most of these athletes.” explained Assistant Coach Xane Gerasimo. “Because almost all the athletes we saw in camp were coming off of all-star competition, the level at camp this year was significantly higher than years past.”

Congratulations to these athletes on their accomplishments. The tournament will serve as a selection venue for the U20 and U23 US National Teams. “Last year we had a third of our roster invited to play for their age-grade National sides. Finding these athletes who are playing for small schools, and would not be seen at that level otherwise, is something we take a lot of pride in” said Head Coach Meghan Flanigan “We have athletes from seventeen programs on our roster – it’s a true all star team.”

Here’s the roster for the 2023 Women’s National All Star Tournament:

1. Abbey Jacobs, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire/ Twin Cities Amazons
2. Abbey Terpstra, Quinnipiac University
3. Alina Ampeh, UIUC Rugby Club/ IWRFC
4. Alivia Leatherman, Notre Dame College
5. Amaryha McGowan, University of Iowa
6. Annie Henderson, University of Northern Iowa
7. A’Yani D’Avilar, Metropolis Valkyries
8. Bailey Barton, Purdue Women’s Rugby
9. Ciare Blye, Pittsburgh Forge
10. Destiny Worthy, Midwest At-Large
11. Emily Johnston-Quinn, Twin Cities Amazons
12. Emma Bacon, University of Northern Iowa
13. Erica Coulibaly, University of Iowa
14. Izzi Gibbon, Cincinnati Kelts
15. Jayla Twitty, Cincinnati Kelts
16. Jessi Inman, University of Northern Iowa
17. Josie Rogers, Twin Cities Amazons
18. Kaitlynn Moore, University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
19. Keishanique Moton-Tyler, University of Iowa
20. Lauren Kuffel, Chicago Lions/ University of Michigan
21. Loren Henich, Chicago Lions
22. Madie Dunn, Iowa State University
23. Madison Cofer, Ohio Wesleyan University (Injury Reserve)
24. Morgan Linck, University of Northern Iowa
25. Nira Fowler, Detroit Rugby Club
26. Ryley Rand, Marquette University (Injury Reserve)
27. Susannah Church, University of Northern Iowa

 

Coaching Staff:

• Head Coach: Meghan Flanigan, At-Large Collegiate
• Assistant Coach: Sue Whitwell, Metropolis Valkyries
• Assistant Coach: Xane Gerasimo, Twin Cities Amazons
• Manager: Jade Koenigs, University of Wisconsin at Madison
• Manager: Tat Reed, University of Northern Iowa/ Twin Cities Amazons

 

*Special thanks to Xane Gerasimo for her contributions to this story.