UW Steven’s Point was busy last weekend, winning the Ball’s Out Brawl on Saturday and hosting a 7s tournament Saturday.

The Wisconsin club dominated on Saturday, outscoring its three opponents 141-15 – an impressive differential considering the 15s tournament was Steven’s Point first real outing of the spring. The team did, however, have healthy representation at the Midwest LAU All-Star tournament the weekend prior, and took the top two spots in a mini 7s tournament last month.

“We had nine different players score, but the serious damage was done by our two senior centers – Maggie Armstrong and Bre Valenza," UW Steven's Point coach Gray Zischke said. "They combined for 13 tries and 13 conversions.”

Those same teams – UW Oshkosh, Stout and Whitewater – met again on Sunday, as Steven’s Point hosted the first Great Waters Elite 7s Invitational in Cottage Grove, Wis. Winona State joined to represent the Northern Lights Conference, while UW Madison injected some DI experience into the field.

“College women’s 7s is struggling to get traction in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois, and the spring 15s tournaments are big,” Zischke explained. “This year is really about planting the seed of having a competitive 7s event in place, and then growing it over the next several years into a spring circuit. I have already had several conference teams – and schools in surrounding conferences – indicate that they would like to participate next year.”

Although new to the abbreviated version, Winona proved to be a natural at 7s. The Black Katts relied on team work, athleticism and speed to outscore its four opponents 171-12 for the title.

“Winona was the class of the field, and looked and played like a polished 7s team, although they are relatively new to it,” Zischke said. “They ran through pool play and dominated in the final, running out a non-stop attack and overwhelming defense.”

Oshkosh finished second, Steven’s Point third. Although the day marked a good run-around, Zischke isn’t sure if this cross-section of college teams is ready for the ACRA 7s Championship in early May at West Point. Several teams indicated financial restrictions – including Winona, which traveled to the DII fall final four in Florida – and conflicts with upcoming finals.

Nevertheless, the invitational was a good starting point from which to grow women’s college 7s in the region.