Tiffany Person is having one of those years where the unimaginable keeps on happening. One of 24 athletes representing the first Girls High School All American team to compete, the Virginia native has been globe-trotting these past 12 months, and it’s all thanks to rugby.

The TC Williams High School (Va.) alum first graced the radar in late 2013, when the then-senior joined Atlantis at the Tobago 7s.

“There was Canada’s national team - I had just turned 17 - and I thought, 'What is this!?'" Person relived the shell-shocking moment she went from high school rugby to international rugby. "You hear how big rugby is everywhere else – and then you see it! – but it just made me want to get better.”

It’s safe to say that Person got on that path to betterment, as she was selected to the USA team that competed in the Youth Olympic Games’ first-ever 7s tournament. She played alongside 11 teammates – nine of which are in Las Vegas now – and logged another life-altering experience.

“That was unbelievably amazing,” Person said. “Playing with all the girls, with so much talent, was a great time. And it was really good rugby – getting to see international teams and how they play.”

When Person returned to the states, she started looking for a school to which to transfer. She’s paying her own way through college, so money is important, and she was hopeful that rugby could help. Lindenwood University coach Billy Nicholas heard through the grapevine that Person was shopping around, and reached out. Person visited the campus and fell in love, and she began her first semester this year.

“A few years ago I was in a program where we only had three girls for 15s,” Person reflected on where her rugby career began. “Now [Lindenwood] has 20-some girls; teams like Penn State have three sides; now you can get recruited for rugby and get scholarships – it’s crazy!”

And now Person is in Las Vegas playing in the All Americans’ inaugural competition, and she’s still marveling at the way the game is evolving.

“All the time; whenever I play,” Person counted the number of times she’s surprised on the pitch. “There’s a team here – they’re U16s and in the high school division, and they blew out some team today. It’s amazing how much talent is coming up as the game grows, and they’re getting younger.”

As Person looks ahead, she anticipates her first game with Lindenwood (and potential move to the forwards!), more 7s and the CRC.

“One step at a time,” was Person’s solution to managing all of these epic moments. “I’ve been really blessed to have all of these opportunities. Any day I pick up a rugby ball is a good day, and I’m happy I get to play.”