UW Womens Rugby Club Promoted to Division I

The University of Wyoming women’s rugby club will move up a division to the more nationally competitive Division I level beginning this fall.

The Cowgirls will complete their Division II run this spring. The club’s petition to move up a classification recently was approved by Rocky Mountain Rugby. UW will compete in the Mountain Division of USA Rugby’s collegiate division.

“The Wyoming women's rugby program has made steady but significant progress in growing its program and competing with top-level clubs in the region,” says Ed McKenna, commissioner of the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Rugby DI and DII women and DII men. “We are excited to add them to the Division I ranks, ideally bolstering theirs and the conference's competition level and reputation throughout college rugby.”

The UW club now will compete against perennial rivals Colorado State University, the University of Colorado and the Air Force Academy.

Previously, the club competed in the Mountain Division II, playing in a conference that included Colorado Mesa University, the University of Northern Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and Idaho State University.

“The club has been fortunate that dedicated club officers such as Erin Bentley, Sara Griffith and Peyton Roth were able to rebuild it over the past two years,” says UW head Coach John Pope. “With the resulting positive culture, increasing roster numbers, and improving sport fitness and skill fundamentals, the club is ready to compete at the next level.”

Founded in 1991, the UW women’s rugby club has had extensive success at the Division II level, reaching the Final 8 and Sweet 16 levels of play, and placing multiple players on the All-American and USA Eagles national teams.

For more information, call Pope at (307) 742-6707 or email jpope@theblueskygroup.com.