Benson Vies for Front Row Spot
Benson Vies for Front Row Spot
As mentioned, the USA’s Super Series roster includes more players seeking their first cap than those with senior test experience. Many veterans are concentrated in the forwards, specifically in the pack: Hope Rogers, Sarah Chobot, Katy Augustyn, Stacey Bridges (who locks and flanks), Laura Miller, and Molly Kinsella. There’s some young talent looking to break into this competitive unit, and recent Penn State graduate Catie Benson is one of them.
Unlike many of Penn State’s incoming players these days, Benson did not have prior rugby experience before joining the most successful women’s program in the country. She was however familiar with the sport, thanks to her father, but the lack of opportunities in hometown Buffalo, N.Y., prevented her early education. Instead, she ran track and field and cross country in high school, until the day she showed up at Penn State. Fast and sturdy, Benson was placed at prop.
“There is something that I love about the battle that happens during a match with the other props,” Benson explained. “It is a challenge to mentally and physically beat the opposing prop.”
Teammates Susan Smarto, Lauren Poole, Kathleen Delicati – to name a few – as well as scrum coaches Brett Bessinger and John Flude turned Benson into one of the best props in the college game, but one teammate in particular really drove her improvement.
“My inspiration at prop is actually Hope [Rogers],” Benson said of the recent graduate and World Cup veteran. “Most of the time during practice, I am going against her, and there are times where I am blown away by her knowledge and strength at prop. She has really been a mentor and her influence in this way strengthened me as a player.”
Many special players have come out of the Penn State pack during Benson’s tenure, and the Nittany Lions have one of the most consistently effective scrums in the game. It’s all about teamwork and problem-solving, and those tenets will be crucial when Benson packs down with new players against England, Canada, and New Zealand starting this weekend.
“We really stress on the motto ‘8 as 1,’” Benson cited the Penn State mantra. “Any problem that we face, we solve it together. Each scrum really is a challenge. Everyone has input into what is going on with the scrum. I think that we always challenging ourselves as a pack therefore, we are evolving and improving with each scrum. There are times when we are being beaten, but it is maybe our ability to spring back as a cohesive group that is making the difference.”
Like Rogers, Benson is more than her work in the scrum. She’s good on her feet and shows true comfort running in the open field. She showcased those capabilities during the Women Collegiate All American tour to Canada last summer. More recently, Benson was at the core of helping Penn State to its most successful month ever, one in which the team won the DI 15s national championship but also the national 7s trophy and CRC 7s title.
“I say it comes by pretty naturally,” Benson said of her breakaway potential. “I ran track and field and cross country in high school, so I really love to run. But it has been enhanced tremendously by playing 7s. I can see holes better and practice being shifty. I like trying new things even though I may not be comfortable – I try.”
Immediately after the CRC 7s victory, Benson reported to the National All Star Competition, which essentially decided the Super Series roster (save two additions). There, at James Madison University, Benson was joined by a large contingent of Penn State players and alumni.
“It is great to have your teammates there, past and present,” Benson confessed. “Sometimes camps can be very stressful and a simple moment of comic relief between these individuals can create a comfort level that eases you in this environment.”
As the playing opportunities begin to pile up, Benson assured that they were all part of the plan.
“It has always been a goal of mine,” Benson said of the national team nod. “When I started playing rugby, I never ever thought I would make it to this level. I fell in love with the culture of rugby and that’s what kept me coming to practices. Penn State Rugby became my family, and that’s why I love this sport so much.”
Twenty-three years old, all that Benson can say about her future is that she’s applying to graduate schools and looking for ways to play at the highest level of rugby that she can. It doesn’t get much higher than the Super Series, and that adventure begins on Saturday.
Be sure to watch all 10 Super Series games at www.livestream.com/rugbycanadaofficial.
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