The Life West Gladiatrix experienced déjà vu, as they defeated the Raleigh Venom 91-22 in a rematch of last year’s championship in Glendale, CO, to win the Emirates Airline USA Rugby Women’s Club DI National Championship. This marks Gladiatrix second DI National Championship in as many years.
Catie Benson earned Most Valuable Player honors, scoring four tries and providing the spark the Gladiatrix needed to cruise to their victory.
Dominance is a word that denotes the Gladiatrix rise to the top. Their undefeated streak spans over three seasons — and in those seasons they have captured two Division I National Championships and a DII National Championship back in 2016.
The players and coaching staff continue to rise up to the challenge, “We have a group of committed players who work extremely hard on and off the field. We want players to drive their own development and challenge themselves to work hard on the areas of their game they need to improve, Life West Athletic Director, Adriaan Ferris said.
Coach Ferris praises the chiropractic care his athletes get before, during, and after matches. The Gladiatrix are an example of optimal human performance through chiropractic care.
Life West offers rugby scholarships for students and athletes who have a desire to continue their education and study in the field of chiropractic. Coach Ferris has successfully built a team full of Nationals veterans who are under scholarship and are currently studying at Life West.
The Gladiatrix boasts the talents of USA Eagles Catie Benson, Amy Naber, Elizabeth Cairns, Hali Deters and Jenn Sever. The Gladiatrix have only more depth with the additions of USA Eagles, Nicole Strasko, and first-year player, Madison Porter.
With the number of scholarship player growing for the Gladiatrix, they have helped bring awareness of chiropractic to a wider audience and the showcase benefits of regular chiropractic care.
The Mayor of Hayward, Barbara Halladay, recently invited the Life West Gladiatrix to City Hall to honor the ladies, “for their athleticism, determination, sportsmanship, team spirit, and all around excellence in the sport of rugby.”
Gladiatrix captain, Jenn Sever, summarized the team’s gratitude to the City Council. “Having the support of our community means the world to us. The Hayward community is where we are rooted and we’re just excited that we have you guys in our corner supporting us as we pursue our third undefeated national title,” Sever said. “We’re excited that we can use rugby as a vehicle to connect and educate this community with chiropractic.”
The Gladiatrix continue to gain to tremendous momentum in illustrating the power of chiropractic to the rugby community.
Gladiators Slay Palmer West Dragons in Bay Area Classic
The Life West Gladiators defeated the visiting Palmer West Dragons 63-45 in their sixth meeting of the Bay Area Basketball Classic. Vinson Johnson led all scorers with 18 points in the content. The victory marks the fourth consecutive win for the Gladiators in the Bay Area Basketball Classic, after losing the first two meetings.
