Shariyf Mayer ’18 was named to the USA Rugby High School All-American Team that faced Canadian counterparts in two matches on the campus of University of Ottawa on Aug. 1 and Aug. 5.
She is only the second O’Dowd women’s rugby player to make the High School All-American Team. Bianca Ortiz-Pallen ’15 was the first.
Mayer said her selection was an immense honor. “Being selected told me that my hard work to better my skills and myself was worth it, and doing the tour showed me that I am capable of so much more,” she said. “Rugby changed my life and me as a person. It has become my drive to always want to be the best in any match and in all aspects of my life. The dynamic of the game taught me the importance of sisterhood, which is something I incorporate into my life.”
O’Dowd Director of Rugby Ray Lehner said the entire O’Dowd rugby community is extremely proud of Shariyf.
“In our sport when you make the All-American Team you actually pull on the red white and blue and play another country, it’s not just an honor on paper,” he said. “This is a big step on the pathway to becoming a full senior international and representing your country in a World Cup.”