USA Sevens rising star named flag bearer for Youth Olympic Games

USA Rugby Sevens prospect Luisa Moala will lead some of the nation’s brightest young sporting stars into the Opening Ceremony at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, having been named as one of two flag bearers for Team USA.

29 Team USA athletes aged between 13 and 18 will compete across 12 sports at these Games, with rugby sevens set to run from November 1-3. Moala will share co-captaincy duties with Abigail McGettigan, but will first enjoy the tremendous flag bearer opportunity.

The Dakar Opening Ceremony will bring the sporting world together, as 2,700 athletes prepare to represent their nations. It’s the first Summer Youth Olympic Games since Buenos Aires 2018 and will be the fourth edition all-time.

Moala has been selected in the USA Women’s U18s sevens squad along with sister Eseta, who are both products of Northside Girls Rugby. Lusia Moala has played at both state and national levels during her rise through the USA Pathways ranks.

“When I put on the USA jersey, I’m not just wearing it for me, but for my family, everyone who has supported me back home, girls who are growing the game of rugby across the United States,” Moala said.

“I’m representing my country and everything that comes with wearing that jersey. It’s an honour to represent the United States on an international stage. I hope to represent them with pride, gratitude, and humility and show other young girls that they can work toward opportunities like this too.”

The dozen players selected in the squad have been selected by USA Women’s Sevens Pathways coaches and staff. Initially, players were identified through domestic competitions and were later invited to High Performance Evaluation Camps.

Five players are from Utah, including the Moala sisters who are both from Syracuse. Hunivaololo Folau, Sophia Johnson and Lavinia Lomu have also been selected.

Mallory Crawford, Sofie Ferri, Chloe Gandy, Rebekah Jenks, Ella Moynihan and Avery Russer round out the squad, with four non-travelling reserves also selected. Those were MacKenzie Aluise, Margo Grebinoski, Adria Doyle and Ilikea Kalama.

“The Youth Olympic Games are an important milestone in the development of young athletes, giving them the opportunity to represent Team USA and gain valuable experience competing on the international stage,” Daniel Smith, Director of Summer Games at the USOPC and Team USA Chief de Mission, added.

USA Women’s U18s for Youth Olympic Games Dakar

USA WOMEN’S SEVENS SQUAD

Mallory Crawford
Sofie Ferri
Hunivaololo Folau
Chloe Gandy
Rebekah Jenks
Sophia Johnson
Lavinia Lomu
Abigail McGettigan (C)
Eseta Moala
Luisa Moala (C)
Ella Moynihan
Avery Russer

NON-TRAVELLING RESERVES

MacKenzie Aluise
Margo Grebinoski
Adria Doyle
Ilikea Kalama

COACHES & STAFF

Irene Gardner – Women’s 7s Pathway Head Coach
Kelly Griffin – Women’s 7s Pathway Assistant Coach
Jackie Rodriguez – Women’s 7s Pathway Head Athletic Trainer

NON-TRAVELLING STAFF

Kristin Zdanczewicz – Women’s Pathways Performance Coach
Maria Adams – Team Services Manager