Women's Rugby Announces Class of 2027
7/14/2023
Kathleen Flores Women's Rugby Head Coach Rosalind Chou has announced the 10-member incoming class ahead of the 2023-24 season. The 10 members of the Class of 2027 hail from seven states, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates. Three incoming Bears hail from California.
Scroll to find an in-depth look at each newcomer.
Hannah Cabarles
5-5 | San Ramon, Calif. | Dougherty Valley
- Graduated with highest honors from Dougherty Valley High School.
- Competed in gymnastics, soccer, jiu-jitsu, track, and rugby.
- Also competed with the Danville Lady Oaks.
- 2018 Great Northwest Challenge Champion and 2019 World Rugby Youth Festival runner-up.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of its commitment to academic rigor nurtured in an environment that puts the student as the architect of their education. I am also beyond excited to be a part of the sisterhood and hard work that define Brown Rugby.”
Val Detheux
5-8 | Mignault, Belgium | Belmont High
- Played soccer and rugby and ran track at Belmont High.
- Started playing rugby as a sophomore and was named Rookie of the Year and received the Coaches Award in 2021.
- Named a 2022 Commonwealth Rugby Conference All-Star and a Boston Globe Girl’s Rugby All-Scholastic selection.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of the amazing opportunities it offered."
Elanna Field
5-7 | San Tan Valley, Ariz. | Gilbert Christian
- Played rugby and ran track at Gilbert Christian.
- Also played rugby with the Scottsdale Wolves.
- Three-time rugby MVP at Gilbert Christian.
- Four-year honor roll student and Gilbert Christian salutatorian.
Why Brown: “There were a lot of reasons that I wanted to go Brown. I knew it would be academically challenging for me and it would create an environment I would thrive in. I also really wanted to be able to train under Coach Rosalind.”
Tate Muller
5-4 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Dubai College
- Played rugby at Dubai College in addition to competing with the Exiles Rugby Club and Tigers Girls Rugby Team.
- 2023 Player of the Year and Vice Captain of the U18 Dubai College team.
- Competed with the United Arab Emirates U18 and U20 National Team.
Why Brown: “While the open curriculum was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Brown, what really attracted me was how it was known as the 'happy Ivy'. As I was touring universities in the US over the summer with my family, my dad and I managed to get a guided a tour at Brown and it was immediately so different to the ones we had previously had. The students were smiling.”
Lily Nowak
5-5 | Morrice, Mich. | Morrice Jr./Sr. High School
- Played basketball at Morrice Junior Senior High School.
- Two-time Second Team All-Conference selection and two-time All-Area Defensive Player.
- Competed with the Livingston County Berserkers Rugby Club and several other clubs.
- Served as Morrice’s Class of 2023 Vice President.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown for the opportunity to grow my rugby skills to the collegiate level while receiving a world-renowned education.”
Natalie Phonwiang
5-9 | Chicago, Ill. | Lane Technical
- Spent the last two seasons with the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers
- Recorded 11 goals and 47 assists for 58 points in 54 games in 2022-23 and added nine points in 12 playoff games
- Spent the 2019-20 season at Milton Academy (Mass.) and was named team MVP.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because I want to further my athletic career while simultaneously setting myself up for success in the professional world. Brown gives me the best opportunity to do so.”
Tarn Reilly
5-4 | Pacific Grove, Calif. | Santa Catalina
- Played rugby with the Lady Cavaliers.
- Also played field hockey and soccer at Catalina.
- Captained the rugby and field hockey teams.
- Named Second Team All-League in field hockey in 2021.
- Member of the Cum Laude Society and Gold Cord and Award for Excellence recipient.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown for a slew of reasons; from the open curriculum to the high level of academics this school has so much to offer. But my choice ultimately boiled down to the strong Brown community. Everyone seems kind, welcoming and truly passionate about using their interests to make the world a better place. This is the environment I want to grow and learn in and I feel so lucky to get to spend the next four years in such an amazing place.”
Jiya Sandhu
5-7 | Pleasanton, Calif. | Amador Valley
- Played rugby at Amador Valley High School.
- Also competed with the Pleasanton Valley Rugby Club.
- 2021 U18 North American Invitational 7s Champions.
- Named a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma recipient.
Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of the vast opportunities provided by the Open Curriculum and distinguished rugby program.”
Sadie Wilson
5-6 | Denver, Colo. | Denver East
- Played rugby at Denver East and was a four-year varsity and two-year starter.
- Captained the team and named All-State as a senior.
- Seal of Biliteracy recipient and four-year Academic and Principal’s Honor Roll.
Why Brown: “I’m drawn to the rugby program and opportunities offered by the open curriculum.”
Jordan Wiseman
5-2 | Mercer Island, Wash. | Mercer Island
- Played rugby with the Lady Liberty Rugby Club, the WA Loggers, and the PNW Loggers.
- 2022 Shane Tengen Inspiration Award.
- 2022 Washington State Loggers All-Star selection.
Why Brown: “I have developed an interest in military history, psychology, and government while in high school. These interests aspired me to become a military psychological operations, cyber operations, or intelligence officer. While visiting Brown University and meeting the rugby coaches, I learned about Brown's open curriculum and later did more research on the IAPA Cyber concentration. The open curriculum will help me build a desired concentration and allow me to meet peers and mentors who share similar interests.”
