MARRIETTA, Ga. - Bailey Burt ('22), Jessica Burt ('23), Erin Wholey ('22), Julia Anhalt ('22), Sha-Lea Davison ('25), Abigail Melton ('23), and Jessica Grillo (Grad Student) were all invited to attend the USA Rugby U23 selection camp in Marietta, Georgia. The two-day camp boasted the best players in the country highlighted by a plethora of Life University and Lindenwood University players. Coming out of the camp three Bearcats were selected to represent Team USA U23, Bailey Burt, Jessica Burt and Erin Wholey.

The Burts, and Wholey traveled to New Jersey to compete against the best of the best, competing with the South against teams from the Midwest, Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic. The south team went undefeated and the Bearcat players played tremendous, definitely making their mark and impressing Team USA scouts.

They will be traveling to Chicago to play against teams from the Pacific Northwest, and California. Players will then be selected from these teams to play for Team USA against Canada in 2 contests from July 13th to July 20th.

When asked Lander head coach Ken Pape had this to say,"This is a monumental achievement for our players, these three are the first players to play at this level and represent our school on the national stage."

Bailey Burt said "This was an exciting experience, we were all nervous going in because we were playing with and against the best players in the country, but the coaches and teammates made us feel welcome and we proved we belonged."

Jess Burt said "I am so thankful for the coaches at Lander and my new coaches with U23, Lander is giving me a platform to perform at the highest level and this experience proves that my experiences at Lander helped prepare me for this, the U23 coaches are amazing and make us feel welcome and take their time explaining things to us so we understand these new concepts."