The Utah Lions girls HS team pushed Northern California in the final of the Rocky Mountain Challenge but fell short 24-12.

Still, the Lions showed they are an up-and-coming program in a state where boys rugby has been big for decades.

This Utah team is still fairly young, with 11 of the 22 squadmemembers 16 or younger, with Alexia Tiatia more than two months short of her 14th birthday.

"I thoguht we had a solid team; some of the girls had been there before and they were very skilled," said Coach Tom Waqa. "Against Northern California we made it a game but we didn't have a lot of time to prepare for that game. We had just played Apex and had to turn around and play NorCal."

Waqa said the players have a ton of potential. Ashlee Byrge, from Herriman HS, is a skillful, athletic flyhalf. The two sisters Eternity and Charity Tenney, both underclassmen, made the all-tournament team. And 6-2 captain Hedvig Karlsson showed speed and skill at flanker.

"She will progress with that mobility and height," said Waqa, who wanted to run Karlsson at lock but couldn't find another lock to approximate her height.

Lateesha Richard and Lex Sedrick did well in the backs. 
 

Utah Girls Select Side Roster