USA Rugby Sevens prospect Luisa Moala has been named as one of two flag bearers for Team USA at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, according to a report published October 29. Moala will lead a group of the nation's young sporting stars into the Opening Ceremony alongside co-captain Abigail McGettigan.
The Dakar Youth Olympic Games will feature 29 Team USA athletes between the ages of 13 and 18 competing across 12 sports. Rugby sevens matches are scheduled to run from November 1-3. This event marks the first Summer Youth Olympic Games since Buenos Aires 2018 and represents the fourth edition of the games all-time.
Five players from Utah have been selected for the squad, including the Moala sisters from Syracuse. Luisa Moala and her sister Eseta are both products of Northside Girls Rugby. Other Utah selections include Hunivaololo Folau, Sophia Johnson, and Lavinia Lomu.
The USA Women's U18s sevens squad was selected by USA Women's Sevens Pathways coaches and staff. Players were initially identified through domestic competitions and later invited to High Performance Evaluation Camps.
The traveling squad includes Mallory Crawford, Sofie Ferri, Hunivaololo Folau, Chloe Gandy, Rebekah Jenks, Sophia Johnson, Lavinia Lomu, Abigail McGettigan, Eseta Moala, Luisa Moala, Ella Moynihan, and Avery Russer. Four non-traveling reserves were also named: MacKenzie Aluise, Margo Grebinoski, Adria Doyle, and Ilikea Kalama.
Luisa Moala stated that representing the United States on an international stage is an honor and expressed hope to show other young girls that they can work toward such opportunities.
Daniel Smith, Director of Summer Games at the USOPC and Team USA Chief de Mission, said the Youth Olympic Games serve as an important milestone for young athletes to gain experience on the international stage.
