S-VE GRAD ENJOYING SUCCESS WITH AIR FORCE RUGBY (2025-10-16)
Tioga County Sports Report
Spencer-Van Etten graduate Ari Blaasch is enjoying some success playing rugby for the United States Air Force.
Blaasch, who played soccer and basketball for the Panthers before graduating in 2018, was one of 30 women invited to the U.S. Air Force Women’s Rugby trials in Chula Vista, California Aug. 26-Sept. 3, and was selected for the team of 15, playing Women’s 7s
They played in the Armed Forces Women’s championship tournament Sept. 6-8.. At that event they went 3-1 in pool play, losing only to Army, whom they then played in the championship match, losing by a single point.
Air Force has moved her to the demanding position of fly-half due to her “high game IQ, speed and agility, and consistency in game play and passing.” She scored her first try for the team on a breakaway during the Marine Corps match at the Armed Forces tournament.
The men’s and women’s teams were then invited to the ANZUS Tournament in New Zealand to play the Royal New Zealand Air Force as well as the Australian Royal Air Force Oct. 8-13, competing after a month-long hiatus.
Blaasch scored a try against Australia in an Oct. 10 match.
In the championship final against a combined New Zealand and Australia women’s 10s team, the U.S. won 15-10, taking home the championship plaque!
Blaasch was introduced to rugby by her high school friend and college roommate, and fellow club rugby player at SUNY Brockport in her sophomore year. She was selected to represent Upstate New York in the 2022 Collegiate All Star Rugby games in Houston. During that tournament, she played wing and scored several tries, making her a unanimous choice for the National All-Star team, which consisted of seven players. players.
In addition to Blaasch, two other Air Force team members of the 15 are New York residents. They are Kacie Hymers, a soccer player for South Kortright High School and Misericordia University, and Chanel Kung of Schenectady, who played rugby at SUNY Oswego.
——————
PHOTOS SUBMITTED.
Print Friendly Version
