San Diegans part of first U.S. Rugby team to medal in Olympics

After making history as the first American rugby team to advance to the semifinals on Monday, the U.S. Women's Rugby Team did it again on Tuesday and won bronze to take home the country's first Olympic rugby sevens medal.

Aug 1, 2024 - 02:33
San Diegans part of first U.S. Rugby team to medal in Olympics

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The U.S. Women's Rugby Team has won bronze in the 2024 Olympics after a comeback victory over Australia on Tuesday.

After making history as the first American rugby team to advance to the semifinals on Monday, the U.S. Women's Rugby Team did it again on Tuesday and won bronze to take home the first Olympic rugby sevens medal for either the men’s or women’s American rugby team.

The U.S. team lost to defending champion New Zealand 19 to 12 in the semifinal round on Tuesday in Paris, pushing them out of contention for the gold. They then won against Australia 14 to 12 to take home the bronze medal.

Sarah Levy, 28, raised in San Diego, and Fallbrook native Kayla Canett, 26, represented San Diego County on Team USA for rugby sevens. 

After winning, the team rushed onto the field to celebrate the victory and Sammy Sullivan was in tears. Ilona Maher raised both arms up in triumph, the Associated Press reports, while Bruce Springsteen's “Born in the U.S.A.” played across the stadium.

  • United States' Sammy Sullivan reacts as she joins her teammates after they won the women's bronze medal Rugby Sevens match between the United States and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The US won the game 14-12. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
  • United States' Ilona Maher goes towards teamed United States' Naya Tapper after the team won the women's bronze medal Rugby Sevens match between the United States and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The US won the match 14-12. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
  • The United States team celebrate after winning the women's bronze medal Rugby Sevens match between the United States and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The US won the game 14-12. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
  • United States' Alex Sedrick runs on and scores the winning try during the women's bronze medal Rugby Sevens match between the United States and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The US won the match 14-12. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
  • The United States team including United States' Alex Sedrick, left, celebrate after winning the women's bronze medal Rugby Sevens match between the United States and Australia at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, France, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The US won the game 14-12. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

In the final seconds, Alex Sedrick ran most of the length of the field, bumping off two tacklers before racing all the way to the other end to score, according to the Associated Press.

New Zealand ultimately took home the gold after besting Canada, who secured the silver medal.

In another local connection, both the women’s and men’s national rugby teams have trained at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Read More