Kennedy Pabst scored four tries and converted seven for 34 points as Rocky Mountain’s varsity girls team went 2-0 Wednesday evening in the opening week of the Rugby Idaho girls high school fall 7s.

Rocky Mountain fielded two JV teams on Tuesday’s initial runout, with Rocky Mountain Purple going 2-0, and Rocky Mountain Black going 1-1 (losing only to the Purples). The Varsity Rocky Mountain Team, along with a very handy Mountain View team, won both their games on Wednesday. 

Pabst was right in the middle of all of that. Also the captain of the team, Pabst scored a dramatic game-winner in the first gamer of Wednesday’s action. Down 17-12 with no time left, Rocky Mountain got the ball to Pabst, and she broke through for a 60-meter gallop to tie the game at 17-17. Pabst then hit the conversion to win the game 19-17.

Physical and fast, Pabst was still only part of a strong team effort.

Junior center Teuila Nawahine “hits like a freight train,” enthused Head Coach Jeff Harward. “She is an incredible ball carrier and has breakaway speed, but she is unselfish and will put her teammates through all day.” 

Nawahine is also a key defensive performer for Rocky Mountain. 

Rocky Mountain, Mountain View On Summit At Idaho Girls 7s

Seniors Hannah Wilding and Cleo Hathom, prop and hooker, respectively, hold the team together and make an impact whenever they take the field.

“I am very excited about the side we have put together this year,” said Harward. “I wanted to make sure we came back strong after having six of my starters graduate. But we have a great set of senior players and some younger players moving up.”

“We have had massive growth over the last 3 years and are excited for more girls to find the game,” said Harward, whose team has a roster of 32, up from 14 two years ago. “It’s great to see girls come out form other sports and learn some different skills.”

Deep Roster

The growing roster led to Harward fielding two JV teams. That was to ensure everyone could play.

“It’s been difficult not knowing if we were going to have a season, but the girls kept working hard and are very excited to stop just having practice and get game experience,” said the coach. Rocky Mountain Black (JV) had a tight game with Eagle, which they won 12-0, but tight games like that are what it’s all about.

“Both teams played to the final whistle,” said Harward. “Close matches are fun to watch, mostly because we want growth in the sport and growth always brings good competition. All the coaches in the valley are doing a great job passing on the game and the passion that comes with it.” 

Bryn Carter, Brynlee Buchmiller, and Lucy Christianson all scored key tries on the day, and Grace Mason, having just learned how to drop kick, slotted eight out of 11.

Next up will be a JV tournament on September 14 at Eagle HS, and a Varsity tournament on September 15 at Rocky Mountain HS.