WOMEN'S RUGBY

Women's Rugby: Katie Hathaway Makes Mark On International Stage

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - When Katie Hathaway arrived on the Norwich University campus in August 2008, she had no idea she would play rugby. The Amesbury, Mass., native had been a standout three-sport athlete in high school, but had never touched a rugby ball. Within two days of being on campus, her life changed.

"It was so much fun," said Hathaway of joining the NU rugby team. "You can use all the things you learned playing other sports and you get to tackle. The girls on the team were great and they made me feel right at home."

After an outstanding freshman season, Hathaway began to climb the select-side ladder and in November was asked to attend the Under-20 National team player camp. In April 2009, she was offered a spot on the team. In July, Katie and 24 other elite female rugby players travelled to London to represent the United States in the Nations Cup.

The first match pitted USA against Wales. USA managed to pull off the victory with very little time remaining on the clock in a 7-3 defensive battle. This was a historic victory for the USA, who had never beaten Wales at the Under-20 level. Katie, who was selected to the team as a reserve, did not play in the Wales match.

Three days later, on July 12, Katie made her first international appearance. It was a rough introduction to the game against a World Champion England side that boasted the best scrum in the world. Katie would be right in the thick of that scrum, playing prop for just the second time in her career. 

"I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that we were going up against the best team and the best scrum in the world," said Hathaway about making the line-up to face England. "It just made me focus on everything I had to do. Most importantly, we had to work as a team if we were going to have a chance.

"Before the match, we sang the national anthem and it gave me the chills. Standing there in a USA Rugby jersey, wearing the red, white, and blue and singing our anthem - there was so much passion and pride, it was incredible."

Unfortunately, just as the experts had predicted, England rolled to a 40-7 victory. 

"When I read the news that Katie played the match against England, it gave me such a wonderful feeling to know she was on the field representing all of us here in the USA," said Norwich women's rugby head coach Austin Hall. "Our entire Norwich family was ecstatic about her playing at the highest level."

On July 15, USA continued its campaign against Canada. Like Wales and England, the USA Under-20s had never beaten the Canadian side. Once again, Hathaway was selected to the starting line-up. This time, however, she was called on to play Hooker. 

"To be on the field against Canada and win was the greatest feeling I've ever had," said Hathaway. "The game meant so much to us and to USA Rugby. We played with so much intensity and earned that win."

The 38-20 win over Canada marked the second historical victory for USA Under-20 rugby in one week and secured a rematch with England in the Nations Cup final.

The July 18 final proved to be an ugly day for the USA, who were downed 110-0 by the dominant English side. Hathaway had once again earned the start at Hooker, giving her three international caps (matches played) in one week.

"Being on the field for that beating from England just makes me want to work harder this year and go back and beat them next year," remarked Hathaway on the loss.

Hathaway returns to Norwich on August 19 for preseason rugby camp.  The Cadets hope to return to nationals this year after missing out by one point last fall.