Twelve USA Pathway rugby standouts will represent the United States in the rugby 7s tournament at the fourth iteration of the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled for October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal, as reported by The Rugby Breakdown.
YOG Squad Selection Expands Geographic Diversity
- Selection to the YOG squad features junior prospects from states including Utah, Idaho, and Washington, highlighting the geographic diversity of the USA Pathway rugby program.
- Exposure Metrics: With matches streaming live and free on Olympics.com and the Olympic Channel, these 12 athletes gain crucial early-career broadcast exposure ahead of senior national team tracking.
Dakar 2026 Marks Historic African Olympic Debut
The upcoming competition in Dakar, Senegal, represents a historic milestone as the first Olympic event hosted on the African continent. Team USA enters the quadrennial rugby 7s tournament following rigorous talent identification camps and high-profile events, including a national 7s tournament in Meridian, Idaho, followed by vetting through Chula Vista assemblies.
The rugby matches run from Monday to Tuesday, November 2–3, 2026. Pool rounds occupy Monday, followed by the third and final round on Tuesday morning local time, which sits four hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone. The tournament then advances directly to the semifinals and the medal matches for bronze, silver, and gold.
Utah Athletes Anchor the 12-Player Roster
Utah Youth Rugby anchors the 12-player roster, contributing five athletes following a fall 7s series and strong finishes at 7s nationals. The Pacific Northwest adds two players each from Idaho and Washington, while Colorado sends Avery Russer from Summit High School. Abbey McGettigan of Downingtown, Pennsylvania, and Sofie Ferri of Hudson, Ohio, round out the squad as prominent regional representatives from the East Coast and Midwest.
| Player | Hometown / Region | Club / Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Mallory Crawford | Boise, Idaho | Eagle |
| Sofie Ferri | Akron, Ohio | Hudson |
| Hunivaololo Folau | West Jordan, Utah | Westlake |
| Chloe Gandy | Portland, Wash. | Chuckanut Bay/Ronin |
| Rebekah Jenks | Boise, Idaho | Rocky Mountain |
| Sophia Johnson | Orem, Utah | Majestics |
| Lavinia Lomu | Orem, Utah | Skyridge/United |
| Abigail McGettigan | Downingtown, Pa. | Downingtown |
| Eseta Moala | Millbrae, Utah | Syracuse/Nova |
| Luisa Moala | Millbrae, Utah | Syracuse/Nova |
| Ella Moynihan | Olympia, Wash. | Tacoma Tsunami |
| Avery Russer | Silverthorne, Colo. | Summit HS |
Head coach Irene Gardner leads the technical staff alongside assistant coach Kelly Griffin and athletic trainer Jackie Rodriguez. All selected athletes arrive battle-tested from competitive fall 7s environments, spanning single-school leagues in Colorado, Idaho, and Utah, structured club series in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and festival-style play in Washington.
