10 HARC players make impact in 2024 Texas Rugby Union Women's All-Stars Squad

Photo courtesy of @ersilver.photo on Instagram

The Texas Rugby Union hosted their 8th annual Mary Graham All-Stars Rugby Tournament, a regional rugby tournament featuring the best of American women's club rugby players on December 7-8th, 2024 in Grand Prairie, Texas. By pooling the best players, coaches, and referees from across Texas, this tournament serves to develop talent and produce high-quality rugby beyond regular club season play.

The "Texas Toast" named 10 sHARCs in their 2024 squad, as listed below:

Michaela Adams
Abby Albrecht
Ari Gieseck
Michelle Marsh
Amanda Martinez
Sydney Mukavetz
Emmaculate Owiro
Leslie Schroeder
Nadira Smith
Mary Waller

The Texas Toast also named HARC's Chelsea Peper as forwards coach.

Day 1 Recap - Cup Semifinal: TRU Toast vs. USA Rugby South

Photo courtesy of @ersilver.photo on Instagram

After a grueling first half without scores from either side, Texas breaks ice in the second half with back to back scores, including a 60-meter breakaway from Houston's Nadira Smith. Texas Toast went on to secure the win, awarding them another trip to the Championship final against back-to-back champions, Midwest Selects.

​Final score: Texas Toast 19 - 5 USA Rugby South.

Day 2 Recap: Championship Cup Final: TRU vs. Midwest

Photo courtesy of @ersilver.photo on Instagram

A long night of showers coated the pitches, resulting in the cancellation of other lower-tier and consolidation matches to help preserve the fields for the Championship final.

​The Texas Toast returned to a soggy pitch on Sunday, but nevertheless fought hard against reigning champions, Midwest. You can see HARC's Sydney Mukavetz make a strong carry through Midwest players and several inches of mud in the photo above. Despite their efforts, the Texas Toast failed to upset the back-to-back champions, awarding the cup to 3-peaters Midwest Green.

The Texas toast has made it to the Championship final matches in the past two years, but hasn't lifted the cup since 2019. Will the Texas Toast find success in 2025?

Final score: Texas Toast 5 - 27 Midwest Green